RELIGIOUS SHAM

Jude 12 RELIGIOUS SHAM Often in our efforts to describe a person, an event or some scene, we look for something well known with which to make a comparison. "He looks like his father." “It tastes like honey and cinnamon." " It makes a noise like a chirping bird." Metaphors are given to enlighten those who do not understand what is happening or to warn of potential danger. Our Lord Jesus used these often when explaining truth to those who heard Him speak. "The kingdom of God is like unto ..." and then He would tell a parable or give an illustration. Jude, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, used a wide variety of word-pictures to warn the Lord's people of men who were religious shams using "Bible" terms and "religious" words to undermine the faith of believers in Christ. The illustrations he used were from those areas of life with which we are familiar and can visualize without difficulty - land, sea and sky.

In the early church, the saints who gathered in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, often had meals together which were called "feasts of charity," or "love-feasts." Likely the original intention was to promote and maintain fellowship between them. A benefit would be that those who had much would share what they brought with those who had little and there wouldn't be embarrassment or class distinction. However, at least in the assembly at Corinth, these meals were done with a wrong attitude that led to wrong actions even at the Lord's Supper. Probably it was in this setting that "certain men crept in unawares" and gave their subtle and wrong teaching in small group settings. That is a potential danger that can happen quite easily. Some of the Lord's people have more in common with some than others because of family ties, social and financial status, age or business associations. There needs to be mature, wise Christians at such gatherings who have discernment and are willing to stop anything that leads to dissention and division.

A person who is not part of the assembly, and perhaps does not want to be, but just wants "the fellowship of Christians," is one of whom we need to be especially watchful. They want what they want for themselves and are not openly desiring to follow the word of God or be taught by those in the assembly. They often believe they are superior to those tried and proven saints. Their character is described as a "spot in your feasts of charity." The idea of a spot is not merely a blemish in something that is pure, but is an unseen danger as a rock just under the surface of the water is a danger to a moving boat. It can cause a shipwreck. A person's character is not always revealed the first few times we see or meet them. It is up to us to provide the setting in which a person's character is seen particularly by finding out what they believe and think of our Lord Jesus Christ. Worthless worship is a warning to us in that one who is not a true believer cannot hide their true self or their attitude toward our Lord in smooth words or "great swelling words."

Their speech carries the warning as to who they really are and it is right for us to make a just judgment with spiritual discernment as to whether we extend our hand of fellowship or not. A person can use a Bible verse or a biblical phrase and illustration by just reading about them or learning them as a child. The lack of spiritual character and Spirit-guided speech is a warning to those who truly love our Lord. Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit such people bring the danger of division among us. Worthless worship is religious sham even at a love feast where these people "feed themselves without fear." Such people are wicked shepherds who care only for themselves, not the sheep of God's pasture. They have no shame of inserting themselves into conversations in which they have no business. They assert themselves with a desire to influence others to follow their pernicious ways.

These who creep in among God's people are not obvious dangers at first. They seem innocent enough and use nice words and their pleasant personalities to ingratiate themselves to the unsuspecting saints who are people who show grace, kindness and love. But these are really as dangerous as submerged rocks and as deceptive as rainless clouds that promise much but produce nothing. Like shooting stars, they take off with a flash and move in the direction of their own choosing but can give no spiritual guidance. As waterless clouds, withered trees, and wandering stars - all we see are useless people who are a danger to the children of God if they are listened to and followed. A "cloud without water" is a deceptive hope to one who needs the rain to water the dry ground. There can be no refreshment and no fruit produced without the rain to stimulate the seed of life. Clouds that are moved about by the winds do not produce rain, guidance or any kind of stability.

Trees that produce fruit are a great blessing even though they may not be the most beautiful in color or striking in size. A fruit tree exists only to produce fruit. A fruit tree that has no root will produce no fruit and is so weak it will fall over when the first strong wind blows. From deep in the soil containing the "fullness of the Lord," roots spread and grow to bring all the goodness from beneath our feet to the surface to bless us. The roots of a fruitless tree are weak, shriveled and soon die because that for which they have been made is not working. It is dead as far as bringing benefit to people and it is dead in itself. It is "twice dead." Some trees appear to be dead in the dormant season, but when spring comes all that changes. The warmth of the sun and longer days of light, warmer rains and sun combine warm the earth. Some there is visible evidence of life. First the buds of leaves appear. Then blossoms are set by winds and sunlight. As the leaves get larger, they protect the growing fruit and finally a full harvest follows.

A useless tree is usually burned so that a new one can be planted in its place in view of the blessing it can bring to mankind. Twice dead trees are soon nothing but ashes. Religious hypocrisy and biblical verses out of context are evidence of one who is spiritually dead. A true child of God, particularly if they have been saved awhile, has the spiritual discernment from the Holy Spirit within, to know religious sham when they see and hear it. It is our responsibility to ourselves, others and particularly to the testimony of our Lord in this godless age, to reject, perhaps rebuke, and if necessary, repudiate all that those who are false Christians say and do.

These should be times of blessing, of joy and of fellowship. Some travel quite a distance, hoping the time there is worth the trip. Anticipation is high, each one's soul wants to be refreshed. How sad if when time to leave, one is really more depressed.

Because there are hidden rocks, submerged, although he only seems to be a stranger. His words in conversation alert us to a potential danger. If that man is not dealt with now, he will wreck the "fellow - ship." Caused by an unseen "spot" that by this "certain man did creep."

A man is there unknown, pontificating about his knowledge. He has some degrees, and looks down on those with no "college." He feeds on his own ego, not caring for hungry sheep. He is really only a hireling, speaking truth he does not keep.

Another at the feast looks like a bright shining cloud in the sky. He makes a lot of promises and speaks of truth he did not buy. The words he speaks seem hopeful, but lead to disillusionment at the best. A rainless cloud he is, disappointing, and creating even more awful dust.

There is one also at the feast who looks like a fruit tree in all its glory. But a closer look at his life and work reveals a much different story. He has all the answers, but the problems of sin he doesn't even know. He is like a fruitless tree; he is really nothing more than a show.