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