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

'God's Will'

A little while ago at church we went through a series on Divine Guidance looking at What is 'God's Will'?, Why is Decision Making so Hard?!?, and A Guide to Godly Decision Making. I was reflecting on what was spoken about during this time and a previous blog and thought that I should clarify or correct something which I had said in case it is taken the wrong way.

On June 14 of this year in Gods Guidance I wrote the following in the last paragraph.

'Who better to turn to when we have questions, are in grief, or are so relieved, happy, or joyful about something? I know God has something planned for me to do and in His time this will be revealed to me but for now it is best to do what you can while that time is still on its way. I'm waiting for that time but in this waiting, it is a preparation time and God is teaching me many things.'

God's will for us is quite simple and is given to us in the bible. That we live godly lives. This first means that we know Him and are in Christ.

'And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.' (John 6:40)

Then the question beckons, what does it mean to live a godly life? Is a missionary more godly than the old lady cleaning up after church, or a pastor more godly than those they serve? Based on their positions, the answer is no. Godliness as we read in the bible does not depend on what you do, but how you act. It is to do with our character, the motives behind what we do.

Paul tells the Colossians to

'put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another... but above all these things put on love' -3:12-14

And in his second letter to Timothy to

'Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.' -2:22

This is not to say that God does not also have a personal plan for each of our lives, he does! We read in Psalm 139 (1-4, 16)

'O Lord, you have searched me and known me! 

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.  

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether...  

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was  none of them.'

God knows us personally, intimately, even before we ever know ourselves! And he has a plan for us but the wonderful thing is that we don't need to know what it is, and we can't stuff it up, no matter what! Even if we knew it, we couldln't stuff it up. When making decisions don't assume that one path is the one that God wants you to go on and the other is against God. Most of the decisions we agonise over are those where both paths are for God.. just choose one!

This brings me to the other point I wanted to make in response to what I wrote. God reveals things to us over time but everything we need to know he reveals to us through His word, the Bible. In the Old Testament we read of how God appeared to Noah, Moses and Abraham and told them what to do, and in the New Testament how he appeared to Saul. We read this and ask for the same thing, 'God, tell us what to do?' If we really read these stories though we will notice that these are the exceptions, not the norm. And they were not asking God to tell them what to do, in fact, most of the time it was quite unwelcome - they didn't want it, although they followed once it was given.

God reveals things to us through His word. The more we read, the more we spend time with God, the more we get to know Him and His character and are able to make decisions which align themselves with what we know of God. I find that most of the time I see things which have been revealed to me and the way God is helping me to make decisions and direct my life, after they have already happened. There is something to be said about looking back, and considering how God has lead you to where you are now.. just be sure not to dwell on the past.

So, this weeks question is what is something that you have learnt of God Character?

Coming up: a look at 'Personal Symbolism'

God Bless