Jude 4 PROBLEM OF APOSTATES The Aim of the Letter Jude wrote is contained in verses three and four. The Problem of Apostasy was as real then as it is today - and even was in the Old Testament times. The Lord's people who share a "common salvation (faith)", and who are exhorted to "contend for the faith," are contrasted with by those who come among God's people through subtlety. They are those who "corrupt the faith," and are noted by the "conduct of the fallen." Of special interest is the way Jude presented the various subject addressed in this epistle. Note the similarity of the presentation of the subjects from verse 1 through verse 16 and from verse 25 backwards through verse 17. Salutation, v.1-2; Exhortation, v.3; Ungodly–denying, v.4; Remembrance, v.5; Retribution, v.5-16. -- Doxology, v.24,25; Exhortation, v.20-23; Ungodly-separating, v.18,19; Remembrance, v.17.
This letter was written to exhort the saints to keep the faith [vs.3-4]. The Holy Spirit led Jude to change the theme from Salvation that is available for all and “once for all,” because no further improvement is possible, to warnings about "certain men who crept in unawares." Note the order of the subjects from the first verse to verse 11 and from the last verse going backward to verse 11.
Vs.1-2. Assurance for Christians. Vs.24-25. Assurance for Christians V.3. Believer and the faith. Vs.20-23. Believer and the faith. V.4. Apostates described. Vs.17-19. Apostates described. Vs.5-8. Apostates in O.T. history. Vs.14-16. Apostates in O.T. prophecy. Vs.9-10. Apostates in supernatural realm. Vs.12-13. Apostasy in natural realm. V.11. Ancient trio of apostates: Cain, Balaam, Core.
Going back to the aim of the letter: Jude was concerned that the saints of God would earnestly contend for the faith, and build up themselves on their most holy faith. Nehemiah is the comparative book in the Old Testament with the sword to earnestly contend, and the trowel to build up. Exhortation (“earnestly contend for the faith”) and Warning (“certain …ungodly men) go together. The truth of the Bible and the faith of the saints go together. There had come among God's people impious men who distorted the scripture, minimized sin and denied the Sovereign Lord. When danger is near, all other considerations need to be put on hold until the danger has been dealt with. The underhanded secret entrance of ungodly men into the gatherings of the Lord's people should never be allowed to go unchallenged. Immoral men who join themselves to the saints and pervert the grace of God, must be stopped. These men were promoting their idea that sin must be tolerated and people have the right to do what they like. In their perverted view of God, they taught that God would not punish sin because He is a God of grace.
In the times of Enoch and down through the ages, judgment for sin has been ordained. Angels, the people of Sodom, even the Jews who did not believe that God meant what He said, are testimonies to divine judgment by a Sovereign God. This does not mean that there are individuals who have been sovereignly appointed to damnation, but that those who have not accepted God's evaluation of sin, God's remedy for sin, and have a light opinion of sin, will be damned. Unless they repent of their sin and turn to the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ, and accept the forgiveness the grace of God offers, they will be lost because of their rejection of Him. All who deliberately turn away from the light of truth and reject the offer of mercy will come under the judgment of a righteous God.
When people minimize the biblical teaching of sin, and think that how they live has nothing to do with God's grace and salvation through faith in Christ, they are without God. Ungodly means their lives and religious pretensions show they have "no fear of God before their eyes." They disrespect the holiness of God and His unchanging standards of justice. There is no acceptance of His command to "Be ye holy for I am holy." True children of God have a new nature imparted by the Holy Spirit that produces a desire to live by the teaching of the word of God and principles that are guided by that new nature. What we believe is demonstrated by how we live. True faith in Christ cannot be hidden nor does it ever excuse sin.
Those apostate men distorted the grace of God. In their view, sin is not all that serious so consequently they lived outwardly immoral lives without restraint. Implied in their licenscious lifestyle was the idea that God's grace would be magnified by Him, ignoring the evil they committed and saving them in spite of their sins. Some people today teach that God is so merciful that He would never allow a person to go to hell. Others who are in religion for the money say, "Give us your money and we will take care of your soul." These and many other deceptive teachings are forms of apostate teaching. We are not able to say that a person is an apostate. but we can identify apostasy and know the results of such teaching and the destiny of those who follow that teaching.
Denying the Lord is to reject the doctrinal truths the scripture teaches about God, and in particular, about our Savior, Jesus Christ. People who claim to be Christians as a reference to their religious persuasion, but do not accept the fact of the deity of Christ nor His humanity as our Savior, are not true Christians. They not only abuse the doctrine of the grace of God, but also the salvation that He alone can provide. He is the Sovereign Lord of all, and though men speak well of Him in words, when "in works they deny Him," they are false teachers. "To this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living." He is the One and Only Savior. There is "no salvation in any other."
In contrast to those who come in by some "side door," are those people of faith who show that by their testimony of word and conduct. They love the Lord who bought them, and desire to honor Him, live by the teaching of His word and show their faith by their respect for our Lord and His people.
The time is now, we live by faith - We have experienced the blessings of grace - And want to see our Lord honored in every place - No matter what others may say.
Some tell us that grace lets us do what we want. That there are no consequences when in sin we're caught. But we will stay committed to what we were taught - No matter what others may do.
Tolerance is now touted as the final word - By those who reject the truth they have heard - But we will be faithful to the word of our Lord - No matter where others may go.
Some ideas men have that seems to please them - They want others to accept, even with all of their sin - But in faith we believe God, putting our trust only in Him - No matter what others may think.
"Father, we have had to face some of these matters that seem to be inroads of apostasy. I am praying for wisdom to discern what is wrong and what is right, in spite of what others say. They use many words to seek to persuade us to accept their opinions as right. Thy servant is not really skilled at discerning deception, so I pray for help. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."