Jude 23 KJV
[23] “and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
In our verse, we see a great rescue. Someone was almost completely gone, and a brave soul rescued them from the fire. In light of this epistle, Jude speaks about rescuing someone from heresy, maybe a brother or sister who has fallen prey to false teaching and is being led astray by damnable doctrine. We can also make the application concerning a lost person being led astray by these apostates. Their ultimate end is going to be the fire of Hell. False doctrine will lead lost souls straight to Hell. Thank God for every soul rescued from false teaching and the flames of eternal fire.
However, we must not overlook the warning we see in this verse. While trying to help reach others, we must remember ourselves. Please note that the Christian soldiers in our text performed their rescues with extreme caution. They realized they were entering the enemy’s territory and knew they were composed of the same weak flesh as those who needed to be delivered. They carried out the rescue with the fearful realization that they could fall into the same ditch. We should not take this caution lightly because we have seen this tragedy happen many times. Have you ever seen someone try to help rescue another individual from false teaching, then end up in it themselves? The rescuer was consumed in the fire of false teaching and false doctrine, being overtaken, and becoming a casualty in the rescue mission.
It is my belief that if the previous verses are not applied, the brother attempting to rescue another will become a casualty. Friend, we must be strong in the Word of God, the power of prayer, and have a burning love for God before we can help others. Then we must use extreme caution and recognize the seriousness of helping those led astray. If we fail to approach with fear and trembling, then we are subject to fall. There is a final warning in the process of this rescue. Our garments could get spotted in the process. False teaching may not consume the rescuer, but it can get them off course for life if they are not careful. Be sure you are settled in the Scriptures before you try to rescue others.