Source: Jesus is the answer: Lyrics by Michael W. Smith
Jude has been warning us to contend the faith against the ungodly people who have subtly infiltrated our Christian communities making you forget the truth in a world of lies and have risen to the highest positions on the backs of others and how we should forgive them.
He turns now to encouragement. Forcing the readers to remember what they were once taught about the truth and how we should use that truth.
Verse 17-19:
"But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, 'In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.' It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit."
Here, Jude reminds the readers of the teaching they received from the apostles, the reason why they are Christians. He points out that the ungodly infiltrators were not unexpected and were, in fact predicted when the Gospel was taught. He reminds them that the apostles taught that these 'scoffers' followed their "own ungodly passions" and, without sugar-coating this in any way, categorically asserts that these false teachers "cause divisions". They are successful in encouraging good Christian people to turn from their path onto some worldly passion, thereby splitting church communities apart.
Verse 20-23:
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by flesh."
There are two parts to holy living, according to Jude; the spiritual and the practical. We must have a communion with God the Father (love of God) through Jesus Christ (mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ) and by the Holy Spirit (praying in the Holy Spirit). The second part is the practical aspect, "have mercy on those who doubt" we should be patient with those who hear the Gospel, yet begin to doubt it's meaning and message. "save others by snatching them out of the fire" we must 'fight' false teaching with the truth. We must pray for those who are persuaded by it, we must teach the gospel truth according to the Scriptures and must have faith that God's Will will prevail. "to others show mercy with fear" we must watch out for our brothers and sisters. We must show mercy on those who are "stained by flesh" and not judge. We must hate their sin, but love them.
Our path of holy living is not an easy one, but the instructions are clear. Our journey will be tainted with "ungodly passions", temptations of worldly enjoyment and better living, but our instructions are clear. So if our instructions are clear, why then do we listen to the false teachings? When we have the gospel on our hearts, why do we accept the 'truths' from those who infiltrate our communities?
If anything, Jude has been quite open with what Christian life will be like and has given us ways to identify those who would cause "divisions". He has shown us that we must be on our guard at all times and not fall into the rut believing the Christian community is a safe haven against sin and Satan.
It is easy to fall-in with a dominating crowd in order to feel like you fit in and this leads to the dangers of false teaching and ungodly passions.
Psychologists will tell you it is perfectly normal and human to be drawn toward people who are like yourself, whether intelligence, interests or of like mannerisms and sense of humour. Or, if your personality is not dominant, you may be drawn to the strongest and most dominant personality or clique (sometimes changing the way you do things in order to fit-in).
Before you know it, you get smaller groups formed within the larger group where very few venture beyond the safety net of their social clique. Bridges between the cliques rarely form. If allowed to continue, these social cliques will start enjoying the things they enjoy together, without inviting others from other cliques (and most likely of worldly passions). This is division! One body split into several factions of different interests/abilities/beliefs ...
I have seen this in churches all too often. Congregations split by cliques, and one clique thinking they are better than another or a member of one clique causing problems with another bringing the wrath of the second clique upon the first, leading to a massive 'bust-up' and a church division!
People get hurt. People leave the church for long spells of time (if not the rest of their life!) and in doing so, turn from God. They have allowed the 'false teaching' of these 'ungodly people' to infiltrate their lives and turn them from God's truth. The remaining followers of the Gospel truth have forgotten how they should respond - with mercy and prayer, encouraging themselves and others who are victims of this division. They have not shown mercy to those who are tainted with sin and flesh and so, these victims of false teaching have drifted from God. But, so have the those who remain.
This doesn't always happen in Christian communities, however Sure, cliques form (remember that is 'human' according to psychologists!) but something more powerful overrides the inter-clique divisions. The Gospel! Teaching the gospel truths, if done properly and continually, will stop any division that is brewing. The truth in a world of lies is powerful enough to overcome false teaching and infiltrators.
As we will find out next time, Jude reminds us that we must rely on Jesus Christ, our saviour, in order to stand against the ungodly infiltration of our communities and the false teachings of worldly passions.
Christ is the answer to my every need;
Christ is the answer,
he is my friend indeed;
Problems of life my spirit may assail,
With Christ my Saviour, I shall never fail,
For Christ is the answer to my need.
Author: William T. Maltby, copyright: 1945, Salvationist Publishing and Supplies Ltd.
So, persevere, despite temptation!
