This section of Jude that becomes difficult for many individuals. Verses 5-15 tell us that punishment is coming for those that refuse and reject the truth offered by Jesus Christ. These are personal choices with eternal consequences, and verse 8 tell us the reason behind their refusal of Him -- "Likewise also these...reject authority." Typically, a person rejects authority because they think of themselves so highly that no one should tell them how to act. Philosophers would call this existentialism and Soren Kierkegaard sums it up best: "the thing is to find a truth that is true for ME, to find the idea for which I can live and die." Call it what you may philosophically, but the unnamed issue is pride, which has a rather difficult end: Proverbs 16:18 says "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
One error that we make in sharing and/or defending our faith is that we present our evidence or defense while neglecting to share the consequences of a personal refusal of the truth. Look at the examples provided for us by Jude: (1) Verse 5 shows that God "destroyed those who did not believe;" (2) verse 7 highlights Sodom and Gomorrah who are "set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire; (3) verse 13 tells us that these folks will face "the blackness of darkness forever;" and (4) verses 14-15 reveal the prophecy of Enoch that the Lord would return "to convict all who are ungodly" in that they have "spoken against Him" (and His truth).
Using and old Southern phrase here, God is "not beating around the bush" but is clearly revealing the end result of their choices. So, why do we fail to take that next step by presenting the evidence of our case and consequences if a person choose not to believe? Part of the issue is that we forget we are truly bond-servants of Christ (see the entry entitled "A Personal Apology"). My high school soccer coach, who was referencing Romans 12:1, often said "the problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off the altar." How true! When we forget our place and begin to think a little more about ourselves than others (i.e. become prideful), we shy away from speaking the whole truth with others.
The other part of the issue is that we fall into the philosophical trap of determinism. This philosophy purports that all events have causes. This belief works well in the natural world; but when it is applied to human behavior, it becomes difficult. One tenet of behavioral determinism follows this line of thinking: since all events (human behavior) has a natural cause (the "spiritual world" is nonexistent), then it would be unreasonable for societal authorities to punish individuals for their actions, which were beyond their control anyway. Instead of punishing or ascribing guilt, society should devote its resources to discovering the impetus of that behavior.
You're probably thinking: "Now, wait a minute! I am not a determinist nor will I ever be!!" Before you are so quick to say such a thing, really step back to look at the world today, and you will see deterministic thinking in every sector of society. Further, answer this question: how often, when witnessing to someone, do you talk about heaven and totally neglect "the other option"? Intellectually, you have just practiced determinism because you avoided the punishment side of a choice to refuse the truth in Jesus. While some may say that it is fear of offending that person, and that may be true, but philosophically, it is determinism.
Apologetics defends our faith and provides evidence for its veracity; however, we do need to remind folks of the alternative if they so choose. Verse 23 even alludes to that with the phrasing "but others save with fear." This does not mean that we berate others in these discussions but that we do remind them of Newton's Third Law of Thermodynamics -- For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Refusing to accept the singular payment for sin offered by Jesus Christ leading to heaven will result in our eternal payment for sin in a place of suffering called hell. It's not a pleasant thought; but if we truly care about others, we will tell the "whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help us God."
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