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

Selfish Selection

Something I have been thinking about of late is selection. Inclusion and exclusion and the process which separates the groups. It is natural for us to gravitate towards those that we know, those with whom we share something, but by doing this we are excluding those whom we do not know.

With everyday behaviour this is expected to a degree and this is how relationships are formed, by spending more time with one another. However, what it is which I have been thinking about, more than leaving that person standing over there all by their lonesome with nobody to talk to is the way we choose what we talk about with whom. We choose who to tell the funny stories with, who to be open and closed with. We choose how much a person can know about us, but we also choose how much a person can hear about God.

God, who loves us so very much, made a way for us to be with him once more through Jesus Christ his son. And He did this for everyone, for all people, that all may be saved, and yet we choose not to speak of this to some people. We choose. What right do we have? Are we so perfect and right that we are able to choose who has the greatest privilege and honour of knowing our creator? No.

We are all sinners. We are afraid. Ashamed. Forgetful. Indulgent. Proud. Insecure. Selfish. We continue to turn from the Lord to our own ways. And yet he continues to allow us to do his works, to spread his word. So let us speak up and out. Let us not shy away but proclaim faithfully and passionately that Jesus Christ is our personal Saviour and the Saviour of ALL!

To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done!