Jude 17 THE ADMONITION Challenges to believers are important in days of apostasy. We need to know and also be reminded again and again what our role is as those who represent the kingdom of God and are given the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel in days of deliberate departure from the truth of God. Warnings are also important and are given with reasons behind them of which we may not always be aware. Not all dangers that can bring disaster or even threats of trouble are easily seen or discerned. The dangers those who would come among the people of God would bring with them, had been spoken of and written about by the apostles right from the beginning of the church age. Paul warned of "grievous wolves" who would come among "the flock" and not spare the believers in an assembly. He said that some were already in the fellowship of an assembly who would show themselves as self-opinionated people who wanted the people of God to follow them. They would distort the truth of God and lead people astray.
Peter wrote of those who would be simply creatures of natural instinct. They would have shameful ways of immoral living; would be greedy wanting financial support from the Lord's people and would not hesitate to lie in order to get what they want. John called such people antichrists who pretend to be Christians. Our Lord Jesus Christ referred to those who would come "in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves." "The apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ" were special chosen messengers who had been given authority by our Lord to lay the foundation of the church. What they taught was the truth of God given to them by the Holy Spirit of God to pass on to us. In "contending for the faith," we need to heed what they say.
We have the words of biblical truth to read, learn from, act on ourselves and pass on to other. We should be aware of the importance of this fact that it is no light-weight matter to be entrusted with the truth of God. Jude understood this and wrote what he did as a "servant of Jesus Christ." He appealed to the readers to remember, and submit to, those who had received apostolic authority from the Supreme Authority of all - "our Lord Jesus Christ." He is the Master; He is the Savior; He is the Anointed One. We are to remember what the apostles said because of who He is.
There are many things in the word of God we are called upon to remember. Usually we remember those things that have made us happy or mad. There are other things, events and people we remember because of close proximity and shared living. However, some things fade into insignificance if we are not careful to remember how important they are. The reading of the scriptures and prayer, review of sound teaching we have received and communication with those we know who have our spiritual interests at heart can preserve our lives for the Lord. If we pay heed to false teachers, before long we scarcely become alarmed at some of the things they say on a radio or television program. Those who use the internet to find information on biblical subjects, will find themselves inundated with all kinds of thoughts from articulate writers and speakers that blur the truth of the scripture.
It is incumbent on a child of God to call to mind that which we get from the words of our Lord and His apostles. Those are the original doctrines expressed to us in the Bible in the way the Holy Spirit delivered them. The Lord's people through the ages are reminded that prophecy will be fulfilled when they see a rainbow. They are reminded that covenants are to be honored and kept. On the Lord's Day at the Lord's Supper we remember our Lord Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for us on the cross.
Peter's final word in his second epistle are that the beloved saints are to "be mindful of the words" of the prophets of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New Testament. They were to not be ignorant of the promises of the Lord and were to be diligent personally so they wouldn't be blamed but would live in peace in spite of falsehood and turmoil around them. They were also to beware lest they be led away by those false teachers and lose their own testimony.
The power over apostasy begins with reminding believers of what they have been taught [v.17-19]. Then there was their own personal responsibility to themselves [v.20-21]. When those are in place, we are to rescue those who are already backslidden by listening to false teachers [v.22-23] and can reassure them, and themselves, by being reminded of our only wise God our Savior [v.24-25].
It is not uncommon, rather likely to be expected That unless reminded, important things will be neglected. Because in the busyness of life things clamor for our attention - And unless made consciously aware, escape our mind's retention.
We were told that in the last days things would get worse - But our earth-bound will wants more before the present bubble bursts. And if we are not careful, to earth's attractions we give heed - Soon it will be on earthy husks of swine food our souls will feed.
Remember what our Lord said when giving warnings of future days. Remember the words of the apostles warning of falsehood and its ways. Remember the ones who taught us personally as shepherds caring for sheep Remember the words of scripture and its truths that we must keep.
Remember the warnings of those who told us of wolves wanting in. Remember the apostles' warnings of those promoting spiritual sin In cloaks of religious words and eloquent speeches that sound so fine. They teach their own opinions in this battle for our minds.
To remember what is right is one of the best ways to keep from wrong. To remember the positive teaching we received, is how we're spiritually strong. Remember who we are and why God saved us in the first place. His mercy has been shown, and our faith is strengthened remembering grace.
"Heavenly Father, this earth-bound life has a way of claiming my attention, and also influencing behavior. I do want to live on the high ground of grace and faith. Please help me keep from making decisions and taking action on anything by mere common sense or human reason. My I always be committed to the spiritual considerations of any choice I make. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
Jude 18-19 IN THE LAST TIME The things we have been taught by trustworthy teachers, shepherds and spiritual fathers who opened the scriptures to us and repeated the warnings the apostles gave, need to be reviewed, remembered and passed on. In these "last times," called the "last days" in other places, reference is made to the completion of that which God has been doing down through the ages of human history. Right from the promise of "the seed of the woman" to the coming of the Lord in glory, the promises of God are being fulfilled. From the Babe in Bethlehem lying in a manger, to the King sitting on the throne of David, the last days have been unfolding. These are the "last times." We are living in the last of the "last days."
There were those who mocked our Lord when he was here. The apostles who were in the foundation of the church were mocked. Scoffers said, "Where is the promise of His coming...?" There are those who mock the Lord's people today. That is to be expected because "all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Scoffers are people who seek to gratify themselves and their own ungodly desires. There are three obvious characteristics that enable us to discern them. Actually, these characteristics define them. Last days mockers are divisive. They seek to cause separations between the Lord's people by a superior attitude. They deliberately create cliques and factions among the saints in local assemblies. That attitude and practice is not uncommon in self-opinionated heretics who are usually apostates.
Unfortunately, there are true believers who are sympathetic toward anyone who comes along with a persuasive and superior way of undermining simple truth - "the things that are most surely believed among us." We learned the truth from trusted people we knew. But some of these have a condescending tone of voice that seems like they are patronizing those who lead us. They might say, "Well, you know they are old and not too well educated. That is not their fault, but they just don't know what is happening in the world today. They don't want to keep up with changing times." Others have assigned themselves an elite position claiming to be more spiritually discerning than other people.
The second statement about these agitators is they are worldly-minded people who follow natural instincts as simple creatures of earth. Carnality, following "fleshly lusts which war against the soul" is their nature. The word "sensual" indicates they are still in their natural state. They have never been born again by the Spirit of God and the Word of God. Those ancient Gnostics and the existentialists of this modern day, are committed to an "up with man" philosophy. That mindset has nothing to do with the will and word of God, nor does it want to. Those who live and die wanting to gratify their own ambitions and passions, are hopelessly lost. Apostates by their commitment to themselves have no possibility of being children of God.
Such people "have not the Spirit." They have not been born again. They have no capacity to understand the things of God. They may have made claims to being a Christian, but when there is no evidence of the Holy Spirit working in their lives, they are "dead in trespasses and in sins" no matter what they say. A believer in our Lord Jesus Christ produces evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. Their profession of Christianity can be seen by their spiritual desires and a willingness to know more of Christ. There is obedience to the word of God. There is an attitude of humility and grace about them. They speak the truth in love with grace. They love the Lord and His people. They hear the Shepherd's voice and they follow Him.
The three statements describing apostates remind us how serious division is, how unlike our Lord sensual living is, and how the lack of spiritual life in one who professes to be a Christian exposes their falsehood. There is opportunity for a person to be saved because "God our Savior: ... will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth." However, rejected light and the rejection of the Savior by those who have known the truth of God, dooms their soul to hell and the lake of fire. One wrote ... "Never soul in hell shall burn, Who has not had a chance to turn; Whether it be a pagan wild, Or born a Christian's favored child - God will not suffer them to go, Unwarned to everlasting woe. For nothing but rejected light, Will doom a soul to endless night."
Please be warned: those who cause divisions Are not to be trusted. When making your decisions God's word alone is truth unfailing. Reject divisive people by truth prevailing.
A sensual man is merely a created being. He is controlled by fallen nature, only feeling. By contrast, those who have been born again, Are new creations in Christ, not under sin.
One without the Spirit is devoid of spiritual life. He is characterized by passion, pleasures and strife. The Holy Spirit within a person God saves - Has power to live godly by the new nature God gave.
"Holy Father, in this sinful age there are many who ignore the Bible and consider its truth inconvenient to them, so they reject the truth. Give to us who love Thee, Thy word and Thy ways the needed discernment to avoid those who reject that which is of Thee. May we all commit ourselves without reservation to the truth that we may faithfully 'contend for the faith.' In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
Jude 20-21 OUR DUTY There is a certain impact that effects a response when one is called "beloved." Implied is the fact that there is high value placed on one person by another, especially when it is openly expressed for all to hear. When there is contention and potential division because of falsehood and/or false teaching, those who are beloved know there is a problem and they know the position the writer is taking regarding that problem. There is no ambiguity to what position he has taken. Jude clearly let those "beloved" saints know of his concern for them and his position in the controversy surrounding the believers. He wanted them to take steps to protect themselves and others from the false doctrine that was being presented. Christians must guard against any teaching that would turn us aside from the truth of God. That which was preached and taught in the written word of God is to be held and practiced for what it is - the truth of God.
Half-hearted Christian living does not build us up in our personal faith so we can "earnestly contend for the faith." Every individual believer needs to be conscious of our position and condition in relation to our fellowship with God in order to effectively stand against opposition that comes from the powers of darkness. A Christ- centered life and firmness of faith are necessary to preserve ourselves from subtle deception of modern-day Christendom. The unity of believers and commitment to the word of God does not come without cost. There will be the loss of popularity, of large numbers in assembly meetings, of friendships, of acceptance by the majority. The Lord's people are to see that they are kept in the love of God and must keep the faith.
In these days of departure and gathering spiritual darkness openly displayed, I need to ask myself - How much do I really value God's word? Am I truly committed to the fellowship of the assembly? Am I earnestly seeking to help maintain unity among the believers? How about my obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I really giving Him the place of Lord in all aspects of my life? These extremely valuable things in my life I must seek to defend with the truth of God. It is my responsibility as His servant to faithfully represent our Lord Jesus in conduct and with my words. Let us never be distracted from that which is true, no matter how persuasive those who preach false doctrine may be.
There are definite actions we can take to preserve ourselves from that which is deceptive and wrong. First, I have to take personal responsibility for the development of myself by reading and applying the word of God. This is how faith is built up. Communicating with my heavenly Father happens when real connections are made with Him by the ungrieved and unquenched Holy Spirit. When there are real and significant connections made in this way, we are conscious of the love of God and the "keeping" power that gives us the spiritual enjoyment of personal fellowship with Him.
Eagerly waiting to see our Lord Jesus Christ to come is anticipated when we never allow anything in our lives to hinder our testimony. To the degree we appreciate that promise, we witness to other people with compassion and urgency. We truly want them to be saved, even when we have to speak in a way that makes them fear the future because they are not prepared to meet God. We are living in the last times and need to be motivated to reach others with God's truth.
The same actions are an exhortation to us to stay in fellowship with the Lord. "Building up yourselves on your most holy faith" is not some casual and gradual process by which we be come better and better Christians. This happens by consistent study and application of the word of God which is the foundation of the truth. It is expected of us when we know the truth, that we obey it and act on what the Bible says. It is possible for us to be loyal to the truth and lack love that makes truth acceptable to those who listen to us. Grace is not only the way God saves people, but our grace makes our faith shown to be real and vital in our lives.
"Praying in the Holy Spirit" is communicating effectively with God. God's revealed will in subjective ways empowers us by the Spirit, to be guided to do that which is right and supported by the truth of scripture. We must build and we must pray.
We are also to "keep ourselves in the love of God" by living holy, godly lives. That practice enables us to live close to God and His people, and will keep us from listening to those false teachers who try to pull us away from Him by means of the "weights" of this world, and "the sin which so easily besets us - the sin of unbelief. There is a sense in which true believers may doubt that which they have been taught. One person has called them, "unbelieving believers." That is simply to say the seeds of doubt will rob us of our joy and the effectiveness of faith. Never let anything stop us from earnestly contending for the faith.
"Looking for the mercy of the Lord" is a reference to His soon return. This anticipation purifies a believer lest "We be ashamed before Him at His coming." That truth and promise are both an incentive and a comfort to us in the trials and the stress of life we may be going through presently. By living close to God and His people, fellowship is maintained and we receive strength for the needs our calling in Christ bring.
Jude 20-21. “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, KEEP YOURSELVES. There are the “these” who in the Bible we were warned about – Usually they have a lot to say and have an issue to tout. Their words and presence leave an influence that’s bad – And the results they leave behind them make everyone sad.
But we who are called “beloved” are not fooled by them – Greater and safer are all those who are found in Him Who has shown us mercy and a whole lot of grace – And strengthens and empowers us to build up our faith.
When we pray in the Spirit, we get a totally different view
Of those who have turned aside from the truth they once knew. They are not real believers – they are not children of God – They never knew nor received Jesus as their Savior and Lord.
We who by faith, have in Him put our complete trust – Are kept by His power and can never be lost. Our God keeps His own, and in a coming future day Will present us to Himself with His blessings for aye.
“Gracious, heavenly Father: these people who are around and seem to be undermining the work at times, I know they are not apostates and probably want the best and believe they are doing the best for the Lord’s people. I do not want to pass a unfair judgment on them or condemn them for their zeal and opinions. I am just concerned that the Lord’s people do not lose their heart and joy for Thy work and Thyself because of the unhappy view of the things of the Lord that comes across sometimes. Help me and all the saints to “keep” ourselves with a positive joy in the Lord and a real appreciation for the things of God Thou hast placed in our hands. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Jude 22-23 SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT When carrying out our duty as believers, there is the responsibility we have to ourselves. It is important for us to continually and consciously be building up ourselves in faith, and maintain a meaningful communication with our heavenly Father through "supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks" to God. We also have to guard every aspect of our lives: body, soul and spirit lest the enemies of the world, the flesh and the devil deceive us into following false teachers. When our affections are set on "things above." the love of Christ does constrain us to not allow anything to hinder our fellowship with God. There is also the conscious looking for the Lord's coming, to motivate us to holiness of life and the rejection of anything that would take us away from happy fellowship with the Lord and His people.
Not all of God's children are strong in faith and there are also some who are seeking the Lord who have very little understanding of the reality of spiritual things. There is no template to follow when dealing with lost souls or doubting Christians. It is always the word of God that gives light and understanding. Yet we cannot ignore the need of those who never read the Bible and who do not even know they have a need. Spiritual development is needed to treat each person and situation individually. Some need to be shown mercy. They need us to "have compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous." We need to shown kindness to those who are unbelievers and in doubt.
Doubting God and His word is not uncommon when a person is first saved. Often a period of time passes before a person realizes they still have a nature that is attracted to those things that are in the world. If they have not yet formed consistent spiritual habits, they are easily susceptible to those who seek to claim their allegiance. Even those who have fallen under the influence of apostasy need the compassion and kindness of those who know the truth and have personal knowledge of "the truth [that] shall make you free indeed." It is not freedom to be under the bondage of sin that presents itself as "free to do what you want." An extended hand of mercy may be what is needed by some people. That is why we need spiritual discernment to witness to them as we guide them to a firm conviction of the truth of God. All unbelievers are lost and are in need of God's salvation. We who are children of God must never lose sight of this fact.
We are to love the sinner and hate the sin. That calls for discernment and a willingness to openly witness to others. They likely do not even know they are lost because their lives seem quite intact and they consider they are successful and in no need of the truth of God. By keeping ourselves in the love of God, we are in a condition and position to bring them to our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is a problem that arises when witnessing to those who hold false doctrine. We have a tendency to look for common ground where we can adapt the truth of God to what they believe. We dare not compromise the truth to make it more acceptable to us believers. To compromise puts us in jeopardy ourselves. Our feet must be firmly planted on the rock of truth as it is revealed in the Bible. It is of no value to try to find common ground with sin. That is a danger both to us and to others. Our firm convictions regarding "the faith" and "the truth" is one of our greatest personal assets when dealing with those who are lost. They need to be warned of the danger ahead of them. This can have a positive influence as long as our loathing of sin or anything that bears the traces of sin, is evident to those who look on and listen to us.
"Hating even the garments spotted by the flesh," does not leave any room for a witness to the truth of crossing over to the grounds of compromise. The clothing corrupted by the flesh, displays the flesh, not the dignity and grace of holiness as when the flesh is hidden. There is a sense in which even the clothing, or lack of it, in today's world, is a serious obstacle to the truth. Modern fashions and Christian modesty are very opposite. The fad of tattooing the flesh with symbols, even if they are a cross or other "Christian" symbols and words, is not a representation of the Gospel message. It is an attraction to the flesh.
It is impossible for the truth of God and the flesh of man to find common ground. That is why "pulling them out of the fire" is not a mere figure of speech. To reach out and snatch another from the fire, is like grabbing a child who is fascinated by the flame, and pulling them away from the danger that would hurt them or devour them. We need spiritual discernment to be able to reach others with the truth of God, and still be kind, full of grace and love - and yet be firm and uncompromising. Eternal life and death are at stake.
For some strange reason, fire has a dangerous attraction. To rescue one in danger, does not allow us any distraction - But rather, by faithful entreaty and earnest compassion, The one in danger needs a warm-hearted guide to press into action.
Most people do not understand the dangers ahead. They are not aware of the fire, of it they have no dread, Or of living and dying in sin - there is for them a trap spread That makes the worldly adage true to them - "When you're dead, you're dead."
Those who in saving faith now live on redemption ground, Have a responsibility to those who us surround, Who are lost and don't know it - they need the Gospel sound, In order to be saved lest in the fire they will be found.
We need to guard ourselves against any latent danger. We need to show mercy and seek to reach those who in sin linger. We need to seek a connection with those we love - and the stranger. Especially as we know death comes, and the coming of the Lord draws nearer.
"Gracious Father: with a sense of trepidation I approach this day, knowing there are those who for some reason cannot understand the importance of that which I believe Thou hast led us to do. Please help Thy failing servant to not do anything that will unnecessarily cause upset or hinder Thy work this day. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."