The truth in a world of lies! (Jude v8-13)

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Last time, we were reminded that a loose link to God is not sufficient to guarantee entry into Heaven.  It does not matter what you do or say, if you don't have a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, you won't be given the gift of eternal life and instead, you will receive the eternal punishment that is hell.

In this week's verses, Jude returns to these "certain people [who] have crept in unnoticed" (4) having just given examples of groups who have a link to God (Israelites, Angels and dwellers in the Promise Land) and yet received punishment from God for their wickedness and disobedience.

Verse 8:
"Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones."

The actions of these false teachers is nothing new, in fact it has been around since the Israelites were led out of Egypt.  Despite the punishment that God brought down upon them then, people are still trying to get away with it today.  Following Jude's 3-theme, the three main charges are defiling the flesh, rejecting authority and blaspheming the glorious ones.  They encourage self-pleasures like the Israelites did (v5), reject authority (that is, God) like the Angels did (v6) and blaspheme like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (v7).

 Verse 9:
"But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgement, but said, 'The Lord rebuke you.'"

This refers to a passage in a non-biblical text where Satan was claiming the body of Moses, but the point is, even Michael, among the highest of God's angels did not blaspheme.  He acknowledged God as the only judge.

Verse 10:
"But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively."

These false teachers are outgoing people, who have the power of persuasion.  They ignore things they do not understand passing them off as not important, but will over-emphasize life that is pleasurable, abusing the intoxicating gifts of the natural world.  They persuade others along their journey encouraging them that these practices are only natural and, by definition, must be acceptable to God, because after all, he created nature.  Here Jude aligns these teachers to animals who live on instinct alone.

Verse 11:
"Woe to them!  For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion."

These false persuaders teach immorality and so show no respect for those they preach to just like Cain had no respect for Abel.  They use people for the sole purpose of getting something out of the deal, they are in it for themselves, in a similar fashion to Balaam who led Israel astray for his personal gain.  They are so full of pride that they believe their way is the only way, Korah did this when he rejected God's authority through Moses believing he was superior.

Verse 12:
"These hidden reefs at your love feasts, as the feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead ..."

These false teachers infiltrate your Christian fellowship without worry or fear, they know what they are looking for and go straight to the horse's mouth (so to speak!).  They will butter-up those in positions of authority for self gain.  They may sugar-coat their plans and ideas with saying the right words, appearing to care for others and that their advancement is the perfect step forward for 'sake of the people', but their own personal plans are at the forefront of their minds.  They are like rain clouds without rain to drop, fruit trees without fruit, their words and gestures are empty and have no feeling or nurturing care for others.  They are 'dead' to both the Spiritual world and the physical word in that they reject God and the caring of others.  They are in it to win!

Verse 13:
"... uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever."

Jude concludes this section with judgement!  This is the true nature of these false teachers, they are people who cause commotion for the sake of causing commotion, bringing attention to themselves.  Their eternity is already reserved for them - Hell.

So, watch out!  Life is difficult enough to contend with but now, Jude is encouraging us to check out our superiors in all walks of life (not just church!).  These people have already infiltrated our Christian communities, our churches, our workplaces and are working hard to move to the top on the backs of others, not caring whether they bring others, or not, with them.

Of course, they don't have to just be our church leaders (although, I have met a few!), some of them teach by example, how they live, always in the limelight, always looking out for that self-glorification, always volunteering for things without giving others a chance.  They know exactly how to advance and who to sweet-talk and when things go their way believe it is all down to them and their effort.

As Christians, we are called to follow God, not our vicar, not our Sunday school teacher, not our boss, but God.  We should test everything we hear against what the Scriptures say and question it if there are discrepancies.  So, instead of listening to a teacher because they speak so eloquently, using long words and well thought-out sermons that are cross-referenced in several highly published commentaries, we need to listen to the teacher who preaches the Word of God.

You see, Jesus came to radicalize the way men and women relate to God.  He chose twelve apostles who lived, walked and learnt from him directly, so they could discover, for themselves, who this Jesus Christ truly was.  Once they had discovered him as the "the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Mt. 16:16), the Word made flesh (John 1:14), they were able to pass this truth onto the the Jews and Gentiles alike (that is, the rest of the world).

So, what's the truth?  Is there something you need to do in order to receive this truth?  Do you need to go on some missionary work?  How will you know that this truth is not me trying to persuade you away from God?

Well, Christ's truth is this.

He left his glory in Heaven and came to Earth for us.

He took God's wrath on his body and he paid the ultimate punishment of our sin - Death!

Why?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

I am set to receive nothing out of this blog.  There is no self-seeking intention here on my part.  I will continue to have faith in my God whether you choose to accept John 3:16 or not.  In fact, there is absolutely nothing you need do to receive God's love, except give your sin to Him - He does ALL the rest!

That's how you know what the truth is!

Hell's no joke! (Jude 5-7)

If there was ever a time when we need a sobering reminder of what awaits the unbeliever, it is now and Jude is not ashamed to give it.  He has just finished saying that "certain people have crept in unnoticed" (v4) and have perverted God's way to suit their own gain and the Devil's plans.

In verse 5 to 7, Jude identifies three groups of people from both Earth's and Heaven's history to substantiate his claim here.

Verse 5:
Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

He refers to the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt following their 430-year exile from the promised land (Ex 12:33-42).  We see that Jesus led them as "The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night" (Ex 13:21-22).  Not all the Israelites who left Egypt entered the promised land, despite God's saving grace and love for his people, they still sinned and quickly fell into unbelief.  None of the first generation entered the Promised Land, all were killed in the desert, including Moses himself (Deut 34:5).

Verse 6:
And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgement of the great day.

This heavenly example brings home that God's judgement for disobedience is not just for a small portion of his creation, but for ALL his creation, angels included.  This verse is likely referring to the passage in early Earth history in Genesis 6:1-4, where the "sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them".  This was pre-flood era, before Noah and before humanity's second chance.  Even the angels of God are punished if they are sinful.

Verse 7:
... just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal life.

Sodom and Gomorrah, infamous cities (and the surrounding cities) were destroyed completely by God as a result of their sexual immorality (Gen 19:23-29).  These cities were in the Promised Land and yet were destroyed for disobedience.

Here's the thing ...

A casual link to God's people is not a guarantee of heaven and eternal life!  Sure there are examples in the bible where people who were not part of God's people were saved by God, but they blessed Abraham and so God returned in likeness, according to his covenant with Abraham.

Even if you go to church every Sunday (or more often if you do!), regularly give to the poor, keep the ten commandments, give a tenth of all you earn to the church, become a vicar or even go, live and work in the promised land, none of this is a guarantee of Heaven.

Think of it this way ...

If the sinful and disobedient Israelites, who were God's chosen people, who he, himself, rescued out of the hands of the Egyptians, all met their deaths in the desert because of their disobedience, or, if the disobedient heavenly angels are "kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgement of the great day", or, if cities actually WITHIN the promised land are destroyed completely along with the surrounding cities in the valley because of their sexual immorality and disobedience, what chance do we have of entering heaven if we just have a 'casual' link to God and his people?

If anything, these verses are a stark reminder that hell is real and eternal and like the sinful Israelites, the disobedient angels and the amorous Sodomites, we all fail to live up to God's standards.  We are all destined for hell!

What's the point then?  Why bother about faith, about God, about how we live? If we are destined for the eternal punishment of hell, what can we do?

Jude gives us the answer to that as well in verse 5, "Jesus, who saved a people".  Jesus was there in the wilderness with the sinful Israelites, actively saving his chosen people out of Egypt.  He is here today doing exactly the same.  Christ alone saves.  Nothing else comes close.  If you put your trust in some worldly concept, money, science, education none of it will help you.

He has promised that whoever turns toward him and trusts completely in his saving grace, they will enter Heaven with him (John 3:16).

Contend the Faith! (Jude 3-4)

Jude verses 3 and 4 are extremely important in his letter to the early Christians.  Here we find the reason FOR the letter and the challenge Jude wants his readers to experience because holding firm to our faith will be rewarded.

"I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith".  Jude wants his readers to ensure they focus all their efforts and energy on maintaining their faith.  He wants them to remember and focus on the 'once for all' saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Why is Jude being so forward?

Verse 4 explains where Jude is coming from.  Here he points out the problem the early churchgoers were facing without them realising: false teachers.  Even then, a mere few decades after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there were some who weaved themselves into the fellowship of believers and caused problems, creating arguments, disjointed beliefs and eventually a split in the church fellowship.

"For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." (v4 ESV)

Isn't it amazing that even before this very letter, Jude refers to these 'certain people' having been around along time before the early Christians.  These people are those who act as friends.  Come over all too friendly with everyone, they may be extrovert people with a finger in every pie/event/activity/office of the church, and go out of their way to befriend those with some sort of authority (for self-purposes), perhaps even making a big song and dance about their friendship.  The minute your back is turned, WHAM!  They cause problems (subtly, of course, in the background).  They infiltrate even the closest church fellowship.  I have been in many churches where it is clear who truly ran the place.  Whole families leaving the church because another family refused to do something or said something else or (as our passage alludes) were 'ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master'.

I have been at the end of a few challenging infiltrators, myself.  I am sure you have.  These infiltrators are everywhere, in almost every church and their sole purpose is to "pervert the grace of God".

"A little isn't going to harm you."
"Your first time won't make a difference, you won't get hooked that quickly!"
"Go on, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission!"
"God made these things and wants you to enjoy them, why else would he make them?"
"You don't really need to pray or read your bible, or even attend church regularly, God still loves you no matter what."
"You can miss one week, can't you?"

Really?  Is this what you hear? Or perhaps a variation of them.  The questions and sayings are endless.  Jude knows this and the damage that each phrase can cause to a fellowship of believers, sadly, so does Satan and he will exploit them at every opportunity.

However, something far more powerful is the truth of the Gospel found in verse 3 ...

"I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."

What was 'delivered to the saints'?  God's revelation through Jesus Christ!

The Gospel has the power to help us 'contend for the faith' through the blood of Jesus when he died 'once for all' to forgive our sin and reunite us to God.  If you focus on that truth then you will 'contend your faith', that is, resist temptation to 'deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ'.

Just Believe! (Jude 1-2)

"1:Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2:May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." (ESV)

This is a simple greeting and opener to Jude's letter.  We are not privy to whom the letter is for except, "To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ" which refers to Christians who chose to follow Jesus Christ as their saviour.  The introduction here in verse 1 and 2 finish with a prayer for spiritual growth.  Notice how Jude uses a three-word phrase in verse 2, "mercy, peace, love" which reflects the three-word phrase in verse 1 "called, beloved, kept", this immediately reminds the read that:

God's call brings mercy,
God's love surrounds his people,
God's keeping power brings peace. [1]

This is a clever and encouraging introduction to his letter.

Jude introduces himself as "a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James".  This 'James' is the blood-brother of Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph.  Historical documents would also put Jude (or Judas in Greek) as Mary and Joseph's youngest son and so was also the blood-brother of Jesus, which means, he is choosing to play down his familial relationship with Jesus Christ, by only calling himself a, "servant".  Why would he do this?  What benefit does he have in doing this?

Jude is immediately pointing out that Jesus Christ is God incarnate.  As such, he is not presuming that he, despite being his earthly brother of the same mother, is equal to Jesus in anyway.  He is declaring his humility before Christ.  He is, in doing this, being an example to those he writes his letter.

As we progress through Jude, we will find the main topic of the letter is about false teaching, Jude is pointing out, first and foremost, how the early Christians should be living - humble before Christ the God incarnate.

He goes a step further, by granting the reader his familial right to be the brother of Jesus "beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ".  He is encouraging the early Christians that they have the right to be called 'children of God' through the death and resurrection of Jesus although they do not deserve it.

This is immensely powerful and encouraging to us today.  Jude, who has an actual right to call himself 'brother of Jesus Christ' is saying, "No! I'm not worthy to be called his brother just because we have the same mother, I'm his servant.  Being a blood brother is not important.  Being resurrected with Christ is much more important.  You who believe in Christ, have that right through his blood.  This is the Gospel privilege."

So, take heart.  Be encouraged. You need not do anything. Christ has done it for you.  Just believe!

[1] New Bible Commentary - IVP