Jude 11 INFAMOUS INDIVIDUALS Those who are the Lord's people are kept by God for our Lord Jesus Christ and are exhorted to keep, and earnestly contend, for the faith. Those who do not keep the truth of God and obedience to Him are kept unto judgment in the future. As the character of such people deteriorates because they do not know, nor do they keep the faith, there are serious and disastrous results. Three individual apostates are used in the book of Jude as illustrations of those who are false.
Cain must have had some conflicts with his brother Abel when it came to what they believed about God. Cain was a willful, rebellious, self-willed man whose would not accept the fact that he was wrong. Even if he had brought one of Abel's sheep his attitude would have meant the sacrifice was of no avail for his need. Cain had a false religion, [Gen.4] a man-made religion without blood. He rejected the revelation of God and the sacrifice of the Savior [1Jn.3:11-12; Heb.11:4]. In essence he said that if God wouldn't accept what he wanted to give as a religious sacrifice, he wouldn't bring anything at all. "If I can't come my own way, I won't come at all." That act of self-will and the anger he displayed is consistent with apostasy. A wrong application of the sacrifice to suit his own will; vengeance against one who did God's will and a desire to bring down one who didn't agree with him are all evidence of one who rejects God truth - an apostate. They are "gone" - "gone in the way of Cain." A woe is pronounced on those who follow that way.
Balaam acknowledged God even though he was an unbeliever. He was outwardly spiritual but inwardly corrupt as is common with false prophets. He was willing to obey God as long as it was for his own profit. This deceptive, greedy man was exposed for who he really was. His prophecy, even though partly true was a false ministry [Num.25:1-9]. He led others into sin for personal gain [2Pet.2:15-16]. He had a wrong relation to God’s people based on greed, not obedience to God. Balaam knew the truth but deliberately led Israel into sin that he might make money. Apostates run "greedily after the error of Balaam, for reward" even today. Korah was the third in this lineup of infamy because he tried to grab more than he had to get more than he should or could hold. He refused to be content with what he had; wanted more and ended up with nothing, not even his life. He was a privileged Levite working at the tabernacle. Not everyone is chosen to lead and not everyone is able to lead. His statements to Moses and Aaron were, they were no better than anyone else, which was true. But they had been given their leadership roles nationally and spiritually by God, and Korah had not. He also knew that the Israelites were God's chosen people. Cain was in unbelief like the Israelites; Balaam was an example of corruption like Sodom; Korah was in rebellion like the fallen angels wanting false worship. [Num.16]. An apostate is wrong in relation to God’s Son. Anger and unbelief; corruption and greed; jealousy and rebellion are all characteristics of those who oppose the will of God. Korah rejected divine authority given to Moses and tried to assume power for himself.
There are warnings from these men that are important for us to consider. Never let the desire for what someone else has, make me discontented with what I already have. Don't attack someone else's position in order to raise up my own position or self-esteem. I should never pick parts of God's word to support a position I have already taken rather than take the word of God as the authoritative statements in the context in which it is written. And also, I must never fool myself that I will find my satisfaction in life in power and position. All of these examples teach us that jealousy, unbelief, corruption, greed and rebellion blinds us to common sense and spiritual discernment.
Contrast the Lord Jesus Christ with these three: Jesus: The WAY The TRUTH The LIFE Apostates: “the way of Cain.” “The error of Balaam.” “The gainsaying of Core.”
How wondrous is "The WAY" we know, that takes us home to God - And what a blessing to be guided on our way, by "The WAY'S" most holy Word. In contrast is "the way of Cain," his jealousy, disobedience and self-will, Is the way, "they [all] have gone" whose journey's end is hell.
"The TRUTH" is a Person, whose word is truth by which we are sanctified. Our Lord Jesus came "full of grace and truth," and for testifying to the truth, He died. In contrast "the error of Balaam" who died in his greed after having sown deception. All who follow "the doctrine of Balaam" will be lost without exception.
Our Lord Jesus is "The LIFE," and by grace has given His life He to us. The gift of eternal life is our present possession, when on Him alone we place our trust. In contrast "the gainsaying of Korah," is falsehood and false worship which is rebellion. Everyone will perish eternally like him, who believes and acts on their own opinion.
Lessons learned from the wrongs of others, are given for our own admonition - Lest we compromise "The WAY, the TRUTH and the LIGHT," and listen to false explanation, That some men teach as the objective of life, and how they think Christians are to walk. Angels and men who are bound for perdition themselves, bring others down with their talk.
"Father, may everyone today who hears or reads Thy word or even a verse of scripture, realize that this is the voice of God to them. May its convicting and converting power keep sinners from listening to false teaching, and saints from being misled by their evil speaking. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."