Welcome Back! Let’s conclude our tour through the book of Jude – “Contending for the Faith!”
The Book of Jude: Contending for the Faith (Verses 16-25)
This
week we will conclude with the reading of verses
16-25 as we consider Apostates of
Division & Glory to God…
The
“false teachers” and “apostates” that Jude discusses in the
earlier parts of this passage “promises”
that all these “ungodly” and “depraved men”
are treasuring up God’s “wrath against the
day of wrath” and they're going to “pay” for their own “sins” on that frightful “Day” – Unless
they repent of their sins!
Therefore,
we can find four points Jude shares in these passages that
will “arm” us for this
spiritual “battle” in “contending for the faith” of God’s “truth”:
REMEMBER!
REMAIN!
REACH OUT!
REST!
As
we go through these final important verses – All
of these poignant points will unfold for us…
Apostates Predicted!
God
is “righteous” and He is going
to bring an end to all “sin”
and all the “unrepentant”
& “unbelieving” wicked “sinners” will perish. God is also going to
usher in a literal, physical 1000-Year millennial “Kingdom of righteousness” and then ultimately
an “eternal righteousness” – Heaven!
Jude therefore begins
these poignant passages as a “review” of what he has already discussed in his
prior thoughts:
These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage – Jude 16
Here
we see "these" are
the “apostates” and “false teachers” who particularly “sin” with their “mouth” in “great swelling words.” They are the
“grumblers” and “complainers”
of whom are always “flattering
people“ with “great swelling words” to “gain advantage”
of their unsuspecting followers. These “heretics”
are described as – gongustes
– which was
the
word used
in the Septuagint to describe the “murmurings”
of the Israelites as they too “griped”
and “moaned” against the true
and “living God.” These “liars” also run head long into “rebellion” – Against the true God!
REMEMBER: Next Jude begins with
“But you, beloved”
must “remember”
as he discusses how to avoid being stained and tainted by
“false teachers” and their “wicked” lies of “deception” – Jude's continuing theme to the end of this epistle!
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 17-19
There
is definitely a turning point here in Jude’s direction and dissertation of the
“mockers”
in his day! Jude says “remember”
as he quotes the Apostle Peter – “Knowing
this first”:
Knowing this first of all that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts – 2 Peter 3:3
FUN FACTS: The word “mockers”
is used only in these two verses by Jude & Peter in
all of the New Testament! This is a clear indication that Jude is quoting
Peter. Since Peter is an “Apostle”
of “Jesus Christ” and Jude is not,
we can conclude that Peter wrote his second epistle before
Jude and is quoting the word “mockers”
directly from Peter. Interestingly enough, Peter also quotes the Apostle Paul
in one of his own epistles saying Paul’s teachings are often “hard to understand” – Calling him an Apostle as well!
This
part of Jude’s epistle is addressed to the “Christian”
for how to survive in times of “apostasy” and “false teaching.” There was one
unthinkable, unimaginable and strange reality that the “Apostles” of Jesus Christ predicted: The “church” would “defect” from the “truth” of God and would become “perverted” in its “understanding” of “Scripture” and would “abandon” the “Gospel of Jesus Christ” – Not all the church… But some!
This
“truth” had to be the biggest
prophetic shock about the future that was ever deposited upon the “ears,” “hearts”
and “minds” of the early “church” family. However, they were to “remember the words”
that were “spoken before”
by the “apostles”
– Paul, Peter & Jude – and our “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself! These
wicked “mockers”
will “walk according to
their own ungodly lusts” because they are “sensual” men
who “cause divisions”
and do “not have” true “Salvation” of the “Spirit” of God. And since that
time, “these men” have
continued their evil “apostasy”
in every generation – Inside the church!
The
Apostle Peter again “stirs”
us with a “reminder”
to “ensure”
us of “these things” to come:
For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease – 2 Peter 1:12-15
It's
very important to be “reminded”
of this “present truth”
that has been “prophesied” so
that when these “apostates”
arrive, we're not surprised – REMEMBER!
Maintain Your Life with God
REMAIN: Obviously, in order
to engage ourselves in this “battle”
for God’s “truth,” we have to
be very “discerning”
with God’s Word! At the very heart of this matter of survival and triumph in
our day of “apostasy” is being
“strong” in the “faith” – the “most holy faith”:
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
Jude
tells “us” if we're going to
be protected in a time of “apostasy”
from the subtleties of the “deceivers”
that are all around us, we're going to have to be “building ourselves up in the most holy faith”
and “praying in the Holy
Spirit” to “keep”
ourselves in the “love of
God” while we are “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ”
who gives us “eternal life.”
We must “guard” ourselves
against “lies” and “deception.” And Jude “reminds” us that we cannot be gullible – We cannot accept everything!
We
must live our lives strengthened, secured, protected and “useful” because we are “built up in the most holy faith” of “truth” as we are “praying in the Holy Spirit” through His “will” and must “keep ourselves in the love of God”
in “obedience” to Him! Therefore,
when His “love” pours out “blessing” upon “blessing,” we then “live” in the light of “looking” for the “mercy” of Jesus Christ’s “return” and our “eternal life” with Him. These precious hallmarks therefore are the core “disciplines” of “Christian” living: Bible study, Prayer, Obedience and Hope – To
these we are called!
We
must remain “faithful” to the
“truth” of God – Don't
waver! Jude is not referring to subjective “faith” of simple “believing” in this passage – That’s
demon faith! Jude is speaking about objective
“faith” which is the content
of the full saving “Gospel
of Jesus Christ” itself! In order to “keep” ourselves focused on the “Spirit”
during this time of “apostasy”
it is absolutely essential that “we” remain “built
up” in “your most holy faith”
and become stronger in our “understanding”
of Biblical “truth” – REMAIN!
REACH OUT: Then
Jude notes that there are different kinds of “followers”
that threaten the “church” of
whom we must warn in this time of great “apostasy”:
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
Here
Jude outlines three types
of people in the “church” of
his day – And ours!
First
there are the confused people. These folks are “immature” in the “faith” and are easily misled by the “false teachers” whom are teaching their “heresies” & “error” along with “living” their “licentious” and “sinful” lifestyles of which are being tolerated
by the leadership they trust. Therefore, “we”
must have “compassion”
on the “confused” by “making a distinction” in “discerning” their – Spiritual state!
Second there are the convinced people. Now
“our” work gets a little
tougher! Here “we” must "save with fear, pulling them out
of the fire… " With these “we” must “save”
them with the “truth” of God!
These folks are already in the “fire”
of danger because of their “belief”
in the “lies” of these “liars!” This is a much bigger challenge
because they have already bought into the “lies”
and are “void” of the “truth” of God. The language here is very
graphic! These convinced people are already being wooed
into “hell” itself! It is here
where “we” go beyond
having “mercy” to a full-on – Rescue operation!
Third there are the committed
people. These “men” are
actually the “apostate” wicked
leaders themselves! With these “we”
must avoid by “hating” anything
“defiled”
by their godless “flesh”
and evil “deceptive” tactics.
Very often they are quite articulate and well trained to
propagate their “false”
religious system. These committed people know how to give
false “answers” to their “lies” of “hypocrisy.”
They are “subtle” and “satanic.” They are the “missionaries” of “madness.” They are the “advocates” of “apostasy” and the “teachers” of “treachery.” The main concern here is that
“we” might also be “corrupted” by their evil. And when “we” get “near”
them for too long… It is indeed a very dangerous
place to be!
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE: These “false
teachers” infiltrate the “church”
and “creep in unnoticed.” They
are “hidden reefs in your love feasts”
and they begin to negatively affect “some” people. They “draw people to themselves“ and then those
people “begin to speak perverse things”
and “draw disciples after them”
as well. It happens in the our “churches”
today just as it happened in first-century Corinth. The Judaizing “false teachers” came into the “church” soon “after” Paul’s “departure”:
For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves – Acts 20:29-30
And
here again Paul is deeply concerned for the “brethren”
and “urges” them to make a
distinctive “note”
of the “false teachers” in
Rome:
Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple – Romans 16:17-18
These
“savage wolves” who serve only
“their own belly”
attacked the Apostle Paul’s “character”
and “motives” and having “false doctrines” to “teach,” had “corrupted” the one and only true “faith” in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul had to write
his “epistles” to plead with
the “saints” not to abandon
him as the “Apostle of the Gospel”
and not to abandon the “truth”
of God’s Word. Therefore, “we”
must approach the confused with “compassion,” the convinced
with “distinction”
and the committed with “fear” – We must follow Paul and Jude’s examples!
Jude
was also obviously a very devout student of the Old Testament.
Among other “writings,” Jude
borrows incredible imagery from the “Scriptures”
– specifically from the Prophet Amos:
“I overthrow some of you as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were like a fire brand snatched from ablaze; yet you haven't returned to Me,” says the LORD – Amos 4:11
Here
God says to “Israel” that He
would “overthrow some” of the
Jews because they “haven't returned”
to Him… However, God “snatched”
them out of the “fire” of “hell” itself as the Prophet Zechariah also said
of “Jerusalem”
God’s chosen people:
Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” – Zechariah 3:1-2
Therefore,
Jude’s imagery comes directly from the Old Testament where God is “pulling” folks out of the “blaze” of – Eternal
destruction!
THE GOOD FIGHT: It is very important to note here
that although God alone “saves”
the “unbeliever” according to
His “perfect” timing and “will,” it is “we” whom partner with
Him as a “good soldier” in
this great “fight for the faith”
in “Jesus Christ.” We “Christians” are the tools the “LORD” uses to “save” the “lost”
and “deceived" souls
needing the “truth” of God’s “Gospel” message – REACH OUT!
Give Glory to God!
IMPORTANT QUESTION: If “we” inadvertently get involved with “false teaching” and are “defiled” by their “false doctrine” or begin to “question” certain “things” such as our “faith” and become enamored by their “sins” of “deception”
– Does this mean “we” will
ever “lose” our “salvation?" Good question!
REST: Jude answers this very
important question with a beautiful benediction of “exceeding joy”
inspired by the “Holy Spirit”
at the end of his letter:
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen – Jude 24-25
ETERNAL TRUTH: The true “Christian” CANNOT “lose” his or her “salvation” because Jesus Christ presents “us” as “faultless” in the “presence of His glory with
exceeding joy” in Him! However, the “church” itself will be the victim
and “our” own personal “lives” will be “polluted” by the “defilement” of these “false teachers” if “we” continue
following their “false doctrines,”
“lies” and “debased” lifestyles that originate from
the “father of lies” himself.
That said, it's often NOT EASY to “discern” the “evil” intentions and tactics of “these men” and requires the utmost care
and vigilance in the disciplines of Bible
study, Prayer,
Obedience and Hope through “living” with a “God-honoring” perspective – To protect us from evil!
God is indeed “able”
to “keep” – phulassoin – the Greek military
word to guard or to watch over. This
is a different word than “keep”
used in verse 21 which means to hold
or possess. God is able to “keep” the true “believer” – Eternally secure!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHT: Which element of God's “saving promise” is most encouraging,
satisfying, attractive and comforting? That’s another very important question to ponder! It is
the “doctrine” of Eternal Security – perhaps more
accurately known as the “doctrine”
of the “Perseverance of the Saints.”
It is the Biblical “truth”
that “promises” once the “Christian” is “saved” by God, “we” are “saved”
– FOREVER!
Or
to put it in the negative sense… When the “Christian” has “received” this “eternal life” from God, “we” can NEVER LOSE IT
– Praise the Lord Jesus!
TRUE SALVATION: Some of you may not “know” if you're a true “Christian.” Or perhaps you “worry” about “false teaching” and to how much of it you
are being exposed. May our Lord God through His servant Jude bring to you “comfort” through these “inspired” and “eternal” – Words
of God!
To
support this “saving truth”
spoken of by Jude, the Apostle John also says in his first epistle pertaining
to the “doctrine” of Eternal Security:
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:13
You
may indeed “know that you have eternal life…” After
all, if the “Lord Jesus Christ”
can't hold on to “us“ then
what “hope” is there? Our
eternal “salvation” is a finished
& complete “work”
of God – REST!
The
Apostle Paul also expounded on the “truth”
that “no one is good” and cannot
“save” himself… It must be a supernatural
“work” of God within the “wicked” and “sinful” depraved “heart”
of man! In the third chapter of
Paul’s excellent epistle to the Romans
he quotes directly from the very “Word
of God” using several marvelous illustrations from the Old Testament to make this theological
“teaching” point…
As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3 & Ecclesiastes 7:20)
“Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit” (Psalm 5:9)
“The poison of asps is under their lips” (Psalm 140:3)
“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (Psalm 10:7)
“Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known” (Isaiah 59:7-8)
“There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Psalm 36:1)
If
God doesn't “save” me, I can't
“save” myself. If God doesn't
“sanctify” me, I can't “sanctify” myself. If God doesn't “glorify” me, I can't “glorify” myself. And if God doesn't “keep” me, I can't “keep” myself. I'm not “good” enough to “save” myself and I'm certainly not
“good” enough to “keep” myself. I will never
be “worthy” of “salvation” in and of myself – And neither are you!
We’re
“deceived” about our “sinfulness” and we're “deceived” about our own “righteousness” – from God’s
perspective! As Charles H. Spurgeon once said:
"No man can keep himself, he'll surely fail. If left to ourselves, we'll go to hell. Only Jesus can save us from our sins…
And when I heard it said that the Lord would keep His people right to the end, when I heard it said that Christ said, 'My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me and I give them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand.' When I heard that said, I must confess that the doctrine of the final preservation of the saints was the bait that my soul could not resist. It was sort of life insurance, an insurance of my character, an insurance of my soul, an insurance of my eternal destiny. I knew I couldn't keep myself but if Christ promised to keep me, then I would be safe forever and I longed and I prayed to find Christ because I knew that if I found Him, He would not give me a temporary salvation as some preach. But eternal life which could never be lost, the living and incorruptible seed which lives and abides forever for no one and nothing could ever separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”
And
to this “truth” spoken of
based upon the “Word of God”
by Mr. Spurgeon “we” say – AMEN!
Therefore,
I submit to you this final thought… The most important
element of “salvation” that
matters in the “end” is the “promised” guarantee from God that His “covenant” of “justification” to the “believer” is forever and that it is NOT
up to you or me – It's up to Him!
Remember that the “Lord
Jesus Christ” said “apostasy”
would be this way! Remain in the place of “blessing” in
Him! Reach out to those in
“danger” of looming evil! Rest in Him who is “able to keep you from stumbling!” We’ll
give Jude another opportunity to speak in this matter – with emphasis
added:
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen – Jude 24-25
This
is THE “true”
and glorious “gift” of “eternal life!” In a word… Permanence!
In closing:
“Apostasy” has plagued the “church” not only in “individual” ways, but also in collective
ways. Roman Catholicism is an apostate form of
Christianity. Protestant Liberalism is an apostate form of
Christianity. Neo-orthodoxy is an apostate form of
Christianity. Every cult, “ism” and “schism”
that has come along in the name of “Christianity”
that deviates from the true “Gospel” is an “apostate”
form of Christianity! Every evangelical “preacher” who doesn't “preach the truth” of the “saving” Biblical “Gospel” is an “apostate” preacher. Gnosticism
and Mysticism are also great attacks on the “church” of “Jesus
Christ.” Any denial of the singularity in “authority” that belongs only
to the “Scripture” leads the “church” into a drift toward “apostasy” – And
damning doctrinal error!
These
“apostates” set themselves against
God's Word. They “invent”
their own self-styled worthless “religion.”
They attempt to “seduce”
unsuspecting “people” into
their “false” systems of
damnation. They will inevitably “attack”
the true leaders of God and will “mock” those “believers” holding to “sound
doctrine.” Therefore, the only way “we” can “defend”
ourselves against “error” is
to “know” the “Word of God” so well
that we can recognize and discern the
“apostasy” of any “false teacher” that may come along – By their heresy!
Humanly
speaking, the path to “heaven”
is very dangerous! It's filled with “stumbling blocks” and “temptations.” It's filled with “sins,” “iniquities”
and “transgressions.” It's
filled with “demons” and “Satan.” However, the path to “heaven” is absolutely SAFE for the true “believer” – not because we are “able”
but because HE is “able!” I'm weak, ignorant, disobedient,
selfish, sinful, rebellious. And every enemy awaits to ambush me… And you too!
But… Praise be to God “we” have no need to “fear” as true “rest” is not found in
our own ability to somehow outfox the “devil”
or overpower our sin-filled “flesh”
– We rest in God’s power through Jesus Christ
our Lord and Savior!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><
Encouraging Concepts
Truth for Today
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