In Jude’s letter to the early church, as we saw yesterday Jude beautifully wrapped the letter with the truth of grace. We are mightily, wonderfully secured and held by God’s righteous hand. God has promised to complete the work of sanctification for each and every believer. We will be presented to Christ, having been sifted, trained up, transformed and clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Because of His Perfect love for us, He is unable to leave us in the state where He has found us. It is much like the fairy tale story of finding a homeless, uneducated young girl and patiently training, teaching and transforming her into a princess without blemish inside or out. The very magnitude of that truth should cause us to fall before God in total surrender and submission to His will. That is what Jude wanted to talk about in His letter; yet, as Jude looked around himself in the early church, he knew that these tender young Christians must be warned of the dangers as well. In their eagerness to grow as a church and to expand in their knowledge, they had become tolerant of false teachers who were teaching that since salvation was by grace, grace could be demonstrated better by living lives of lasciviousness.
Photo used by permission of Ronald Barba and cannot be reproduced without permission
Jude then gives them warning that they must earnestly fight for the truth of the Gospel and their faith against these teachers of false doctrine that had been allowed to penetrate their ranks.
Jude 1: “3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He began by reminding them that throughout history there was great devastation that occurred because false teaching sifted in and led the people into grave error which was then followed by a body of unbelievers with only a remnant holding tight to the faith. This Jude portrays in verses 5-15 with a reminder that God will return in judgment against all the ungodly. In the midst of those true believers there had entered a crowd of ungodly men leading the future of their church into destruction. We see the same within the body of people who call themselves Christians and thus must be very discerning as true believers so that we do “earnestly contend for the faith—the truth of the gospel without compromise.
Jude has admonished these young believers to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel without compromise. To do that means they must first study and know the truth of the Gospel. But if false teachers had entered; how, does one study and discern truth? Jude provided them with these three criteria to help guide them.
1. Jude pointed out that some of the false teachers could be recognized because they were murmurers and complainers who were living lives fulfilling the lust of the flesh. There were others among them who were men of great self pride who had an eloquence that would cause people to admire them and even envy their station or position. (Verse 16)
2. Jude advises the believers to go back to the scripture—at that time he advised them to remember the words of the apostles. They were advised to weigh what others were teaching against the truth of the scripture. As believers today it is easy for us to get into a spoon fed mentality and rely on sermons and other books to gain our knowledge of scripture; but, we must beware of false teachers as well. It is of utmost importance that we study the Bible for ourselves and with the help of the Holy Spirit we are to read and listen to all other teachers in a discerning manner according to the truth of God’s word. (verse 17-19)
3. Prayer “20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” We must never forget the power of prayer in our lives. We must allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us along this journey of faith.
4. “21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Allow your love of God to guide you, because the more you love Him, the more you realize that He is your greatest treasure and the more you desire to love Him. That desire to love Him more drives you to studying His word and to spending time with Him in prayer. The more we study His word, the more we pray, and the more we grow “in love” with God; the more we surrender to His truth and His will.
As, we noted yesterday, Jude so gently after giving the warnings of judgment ended with the reminder that it is God who will complete the work in each and every true believer—so pray, love, study the word discerningly and don’t worry. Beware of false teachers; but, trust the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Listen to this beautiful song and let it fill you, I Surrender
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Drawing used with written permission of Ronald Barba.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”