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, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life.
Yes Friends, though written long ago, that message still applies to us today, for just as people tried to dilute the faith and demoralize the early believers, the same thing’s happening to us. Jude, identifies himself as James’ brother, (vs.1) making him Jesus’ half brother. See Mat.13:55, which lists his family. Anyway, scholarly thought has it that though Jesus’ family did not take kindly to His earthly ministry, ‘For neither did his brethren believe in him.’ (John.7:5) later on, several had preaching ministries, including Jude. Here, he’s writing to Christians beset by false teachers, moving stealthily amongst them, stirring up confusion regarding doctrine and behaviour. ‘Certain men crept in unawares… ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (vs.4) Friends, we’re also experiencing that. Many false preachers and teacher’s exist out there today, only sowing confusion and division, preying on the gullible. But Jude says to stand strong, ‘and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith…’ (vs.3) He goes on to remind them of the Israelites deliverance from Egypt, but how the Lord destroyed the unbelievers. Also about Satan and his angels fall from grace, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (vs.5-7) ‘Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion and speak evil of dignities.’ (vs.8) Yes people, we too are surrounded by many of those, who pervert the Word, inserting their own visions and dreams, becoming immoral, insubordinate and openly critical of authority. Jude strenuously warns his readers to be wary of them, for they have forsaken God, instead seeking personal profit and stirring up strife. The same ones who attend the LOVE feasts, occasions to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, but do so in a selfish, ostentatious manner, not showing the proper respect and reverence due to such a touching ceremony, who, in reality are barren and dead, with nothing good to offer. (vs.11-12) ‘These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage,’ (vs.16) Oh Friends, we know them: The pompous, arrogant ones, using hifalutin language to impress and gain their own ends. But remember the warnings of the apostles about false prophets in the last days. Jesus himself said it. ‘And many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many.’ (Mat.24:11) ‘But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life.’ Oh people, therein also lies our prescription for these troublesome times. As beloved followers of Christ, we need to build ourselves up in our faith; raise it to new, higher levels, through praying and communing with the Holy spirit, our helper. Above all, we should keep ourselves in the LOVE of God; let His LOVE shine in, through and out of us, to others, while waiting with bated breath, for the mercy of Jesus, for eternal life, at His second coming. As Jesus said, ‘He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’ (Mat.24:13) Much LOVE!…it’s not about us…but all about Jesus…
Yes Friends, though written long ago, that message still applies to us today, for just as people tried to dilute the faith and demoralize the early believers, the same thing’s happening to us. Jude, identifies himself as James’ brother, (vs.1) making him Jesus’ half brother. See Mat.13:55, which lists his family. Anyway, scholarly thought has it that though Jesus’ family did not take kindly to His earthly ministry, ‘For neither did his brethren believe in him.’ (John.7:5) later on, several had preaching ministries, including Jude. Here, he’s writing to Christians beset by false teachers, moving stealthily amongst them, stirring up confusion regarding doctrine and behaviour. ‘Certain men crept in unawares… ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (vs.4) Friends, we’re also experiencing that. Many false preachers and teacher’s exist out there today, only sowing confusion and division, preying on the gullible. But Jude says to stand strong, ‘and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith…’ (vs.3) He goes on to remind them of the Israelites deliverance from Egypt, but how the Lord destroyed the unbelievers. Also about Satan and his angels fall from grace, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (vs.5-7) ‘Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion and speak evil of dignities.’ (vs.8) Yes people, we too are surrounded by many of those, who pervert the Word, inserting their own visions and dreams, becoming immoral, insubordinate and openly critical of authority. Jude strenuously warns his readers to be wary of them, for they have forsaken God, instead seeking personal profit and stirring up strife. The same ones who attend the LOVE feasts, occasions to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, but do so in a selfish, ostentatious manner, not showing the proper respect and reverence due to such a touching ceremony, who, in reality are barren and dead, with nothing good to offer. (vs.11-12) ‘These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage,’ (vs.16) Oh Friends, we know them: The pompous, arrogant ones, using hifalutin language to impress and gain their own ends. But remember the warnings of the apostles about false prophets in the last days. Jesus himself said it. ‘And many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many.’ (Mat.24:11) ‘But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life.’ Oh people, therein also lies our prescription for these troublesome times. As beloved followers of Christ, we need to build ourselves up in our faith; raise it to new, higher levels, through praying and communing with the Holy spirit, our helper. Above all, we should keep ourselves in the LOVE of God; let His LOVE shine in, through and out of us, to others, while waiting with bated breath, for the mercy of Jesus, for eternal life, at His second coming. As Jesus said, ‘He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’ (Mat.24:13) Much LOVE!…it’s not about us…but all about Jesus…
SCRIP-BITS 