Take Action (Jude, Part 5)

We ended last time with the question of what divisions within Christian community are a result of the mindset which leads to jealousy, greed, and pride. This question many are afraid to answer in case somebody’s toes are tread on. But remember what we are to do in response to those who are causing such divisions, in response to these divisions which are occurring... we are not to run scared – why do we insist on continuing to do just what we have been told not to do?!
 

Jude continues in instructing us on just how we should be responding. We have already been told to remember what we have been taught – what the apostles spoke, for us this is the New Testament of the Bible. But to remember on its own is not enough.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. - Jude 20-21

Build yourselves up, pray, keep yourselves in, look for – these are all actions which follow from remembering what we have been taught, and believing what has been revealed to us. This is our response, but is also how we are to guard ourselves against such people.

Build yourselves up on your most holy faith – continue to learn and question and understand more and more about the faith which you have, meeting with others of like mind and being an encouragement to one another.

Pray in the Holy Spirit – come to know your God and share your life with Him, develop that personal relationship which we each have with our Father in Heaven.

Keep yourselves in the love of God – do not turn away from what you know or willingly succumb to sinful deeds but strive to be like God, like Jesus, to the best of your ability.

Look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ – as mercy has been shown on us, so show it on others, and look for it in others, sharing what you know with others that you might be able to better find it.

Unto eternal life – do this for always thinking of not your life here now, but the promise of what is to come.

This is how we are to respond and guard ourselves against these divisions and people causing such, but how are we to respond or act towards the people whom are the frauds, committing these acts. Jude does not leave us without guidance in this matter but continues...

And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. - Jude 22-23

We are to be discerning in how we act and treat others depending on where their motivation comes from. Different people require different approaches however we are not to get caught up in this but the most important thing is that they are not left without opportunity to hear the true gospel, to see the error of their ways and repent for it, turning to the true God and finding forgiveness for their sins there.

We have heard again and again over the past few weeks in the previous verses of Jude just what is waiting for those who are not in Christ – just what is waiting for these men. So on some we are to have compassion, showing them the error of their ways, on others we are to save with fear – hating even what they touch as it has been ruined by their sinful flesh. We all are sinners and have been found guilty however for those who are in Christ, our sentence has already been paid. Don’t be gentle about it but stop them in their tracks and show them just what they are doing and just how it is wrong. Do not worry about saving a relationship with them or how they might feel but risk these things in the hope that they may come to Christ and so save their very soul – not saving things in this world but looking to save them for much longer – into eternal life with the Father.

It is a hard thing to do, to discern. Whom do you approach with compassion, and whom do you approach with fear – but in all cases approach with an unbending will, that you will not compromise the true gospel, a willingness to help lead them in the right direction in their new found life as given by His gospel, and a readiness to accept criticism and rebuke if you are in the wrong.

My question to you this time is how often do you think about the eternal fate of others whom you know and meet – your family, friends, acquaintances, or even the stranger walking down the street?

Coming up: Jude, Part 6

God Bless

Choose Your Mindset (Jude, Part 4)

Sorry I missed posting this last week. However, I will do three posts over the next week to keep on track with Jude (this one plus two more to finish!). I do not know about you but I was getting quite intrigued as reading through Jude to hear just what he would say next. It has been challenging.

Last time we started to hear just how relevant Jude’s words are to us today, and just why we should listen to them. God is speaking to us through them, and particularly into our society. There are those among us who live by jealousy, greed, and pride. We know what is marked out from them as has been revealed – and that is not eternity with Christ, which is our hope.

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." - Jude 14-15

Judgement is coming! And it is going to be a time of much devastation – and much rejoicing. For everything which is done – so shall judgement come. While all are sinners, we who call ourselves Christians are born again of the Spirit in Jesus Christ – that we may know forgiveness of sins. Our God is a just and holy God; therefore judgement must come. But he is also a God of love, and by His grace he has saved a remnant.


We read in Philippians 2:9-11 -

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Where will you be and in what mind when every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord? Will it be in the light of forgiveness – of having been saved from the judgement deserved purely by grace, or in the light of condemnation – knowing the reality of the penalty you will suffer for eternity under right judgement?

Jude now continues in describing these men, these frauds, so that they might be recognised from among the flock of his people – this is how that jealousy, greed, and pride is shown in them, that we may recognise it. In so describing, Jude also describes how one would look who is walking in the Spirit – that is, the opposite to those who are not.

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. - Jude 16-19

Not all have the Spirit, and it is these men whom do not that threaten to turn others astray. And what are we to do? Jude tells us quite clearly that we are not to run scared but remember what has been spoken already. In the last time there will be mockers who follow their own lusts, just as these frauds also do. We are in the last times, being after Jesus Christ has come and before his return. And so, here we can see one example of just how this is so. However, in remembering the words which were ‘spoken to us’, what we need to also do is remember the other words which were spoken, the words which hold the truth – the gospel. In remembering this and holding to this you will also be less likely to be swayed by persuasive words, but keep to the one true gospel.

Now my question to you – we hear in Jude 19 how these people without the Spirit cause divisions amongst us – what divisions can you see within ‘Christian’ communities (or community) which may have been caused by such mindsets?

Coming up: Jude Part 5

God Bless

Open Your Eyes (Jude, Part 3)

So, last week Judes letter started to get a bit more interesting, a bit more confronting. We now know why he is writing this letter - his concern for their salvation given their current situation. Judes letter, although written almost two thousand years ago, is relevant to us today. We are not informed of his specific audience from the letter and so all we know is that is written to a group of christians to address a particular issue which has arisen. This same issue is seen in our society and amongst our churches - just look at all the different denominations. Jude could easily have been writing this letter with us in mind looking at it now. Look at it, as such.

Jude, having told us now what to look out for, tells us more of how to recognise these people amongst our number. And not only this, but shows how what they are doing is contrary to what God has said.

Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. - Jude 8-11

Even Michael where he had reason to do these things, did not, but instead said, "The Lord rebuke you!". This is the kind of response which we need to have, even when we see that we have reason to. Know that it is not our place to do such things, but it is for the Lord to do. If we follow in these ways we are following in the ways of Cain (who murdered his brother for pleasing God more - and was sent away), brute beasts (who know only how to satisfy the physical - they are not in the image of God), Balaam (who cursed 'Israel' to better things for himself - and he was left worse and curses became good for 'Israel'), and Korah (who rebels against what God has said to Israel through Moses - and all are swallowed up and perish in fire). All of these things are the result of jealousy, greed, and pride.

Jude continues by giving some images to help us see just what it is that they are. Open your eyes, he says, and see what it is that they are doing... nothing of benefit to anyone - not even themselves in the long run.

These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. - Jude 12-13

Love feasts where reguarly held with the Lords supper in the early church. These are a time to 'feed the flock' but instead at these times they serve only themselves!

What is the point of such clouds which have no water in them, and are moved so easily by the winds so as not to provide shade.

Trees which are twice dead - without fruit (autumn) and pulled up by the roots - have failed at what you are here for - useless.

Raging waves of the sea - they look big and make lots of noise, but what do they leave? - nothing but some scum and rubbish on the shore.

And wandering stars... stars are there to guide, what use are they if they continually wander or move? The blackness of darkness is reserved for them - not only in the sky but this is also talking of that eternal separation from God, for God is light, so to be in the blackness of darkness forever... is terrible!

Take heed to Jude's words. They are not just his own but inspired by God. Let us learn from them and learn how to distinguish these people from amongst us. Have a go at answering the question below, it's a good one to get you thinking for next week.

Question: What might this jealousy, greed, and pride look like today? Jealousy, greed, and pride of what?

Coming Up: Jude, Part 4


God Bless

Remember (Jude, Part 2)

So, what an amazingly encouraging start to a letter we heard last week. Now we can hear just what it was that Jude wished to write about. We do not know to whom he was writing but as it is not addressed it is often assumed that it is to a group of Christians that it might be handed around for many to read.

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. - Jude 3

Jude obviously feels very strongly about this. He loves them. He want to write to them about our Lord Jesus Christ, about the wonderful things which He has done for us, about such joy, about God and the time to come when we might see Him face to face. Such a wonderful letter that would be and easy to write. But no, Jude instead says, I wish I could write to you about these things but this is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT! Jude exhorts them, appeals to them, urges them, that they might earnestly contend for the faith which we have. Earnestly contend also translates as vigorous defense. Continue in your vigorous defense! Why is Jude so concerned and particular on this matter? We hear why in the following verse.

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. - Jude 4

Look among you, says he. Do you  not see these impostors who are calling you astray and leading you asunder?? They are among you, and yet you do not see them. Be wary and listen with wisdom and discernment that you might not find yourself amongst them also, but keep your faith. Not only keep it, but defend it, and contend for it, that they also might see that they do not belong where they have placed themselves. As Jesus said 'whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.' - Matthew 10:33 They turn the grace of God on its head and make it look like a joke and add our own works into the equation, even though we know we can never be enough. But no, keep the truth.

Jude does not leave it there, with a strict warning, but gives the people examples of stories which they themselves know (from Israel's history and can be found in the Old Testament). Stories which confirm this of God, and affirm that what they are doing now is wrong. Be rebuked!

But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. - Jude 5-7

The shape of this letter has changed somewhat from what we read last week. But while it is quite scary to read and think about it can be seen that it comes from genuine love and concern. Not only do we know what Jude is concerned about, he has also shown just what motivates his concern. His concern is that they are drifting from their faith, the one true gospel which has been revealed to us, as these other men have crept in and are spreading lies. The motivation behind this is that without having faith in the one true gospel, all are condemned to eternal damnation. So, Keep Strong.

The God we serve is a god of love, but He is also a Just and Holy God. God cannot be just and holy if he does not destroy and condemn those who do not believe. But we see also that He is a God of love, as he has made a way that we might live eternal with Him, by believing the one true gospel and living in such a way which reflects this.

Question: What is one thing which 'strikes' you from this passage?

Coming up: Jude, Part 3

God Bless