THE GRACE OF GOD
A sobering devotional this morning as l read the book of Jude.
It certainly started out well, as l reflected on the humility of Jude the half-brother of Jesus Christ. He could have promoted himself, but rather chose to refer to himself as the servant of the LORD. Such a perfect example of humility – contra to our culture, where we are all to eager to ‘name drop,’ especially if we think it will open doors for us, or impress others.
Then Jude specifies who he is talking to – those called, sanctified, and preserved… and the key word that jumped out to me, is that those who are chosen, are called to be separated…set apart, holy and pure. This initial comment in his opening salutation, will be essential to the discussion that will follow. He then admonishes us to contend for the faith - struggle, literally, to compete for a prize, figuratively, to contend with an adversary, or generally, to endeavor to accomplish something. Why?
Because there are those that are scattered throughout the Body of Christ who call themselves Christian, yet, lead a double life, and seek to infect others, to their twisted thinking and behavior. The behavior Jude identifies, is driven by a lack of understanding and reverence for God and holiness. It is driven by those who turn the grace of God into an excuse for lewdness – not only through their actions but also in their speech. They feel that the grace of God, is so generous that it winks at the filth, they want to promote, and engage in, under the banner of Christianity.
The areas of concern that Jude alerts us to look out for are: unbelief in God, all sexual immorality, homosexuality, speak evil of others and authorities, rebellious against authority, grumblers, complainers, braggarts, flatters for selfish gain, mockers, causers of divisions, lust driven, lack of self control,and he identifies these people as not having the Spirit of God. And ALL this, Jude tells us is in the Body of Christ….now that’s scary!!
Their willful depravity which thinks that God’s grace will wink at sin, will be met with judgement; as God judged Sodom and Gomorrah, as He judged those who fell in the wilderness just shy of entering the Promised Land, as He judged Korah, and as He judged Cain.
He considers them spots, blemishes, as a stain needing to be removed – just as no one likes to wear stained clothes, and turfs them out, if the stain won’t respond to cleaning.
He considers them as clouds without water, all show, a promise of refreshment – but bringing no refreshing rain – tossed about by the wind – here, there, and everywhere. People who look like and wear the label of Christian, yet lead double lives – going wherever, there is teaching that will validate their lifestyles. Grumbling about the leadership from their previous church, how they just didn’t understand, accept, or love them.
He considers them as trees without fruit, 2ce dead, with no roots. These people, are not only without any Godly fruit, but they are so mislead, there is absolutely no hope of life, unrepentant and rotten to their very core. In Church acting one way, and outside of Church, with their friends, filthy mouthed, given to excessive drink, promiscuous behavior of all kinds, and slanderous.
He considers them raging waves, foaming up their shame. People who are tumultuous, flaunting their ungodly behavior, as their right, in the face of God’s grace.
He considers them as wandering stars, who you would be foolish to follow. In the day, one would navigate one’s journey by the stars that were fixed in the heavenlies, to follow a wondering star, would be to end up lost. People who cannot sit under discipline, and church hop, till they hear what they want to hear, and their ungodly behavior and attitudes are accepted.
Their end is undeniable unless they repent….blackness and darkness forever! Quite sobering indeed!!
Jude admonishes us to build ourselves up in the faith, praying in the Spirit; as He leads, and in the Spirit language given to us. And to those who are addressed in the previous passages, try to rescue them from their misguided ways; snatching them out of the fire – whilst hating their ways – loving the person – having compassion on them. Clothing ourselves with mercy and the love of God, knowing that we are all in need of God’s grace; but in NO WAY tolerate or follow their behavior, bringing correction to save them from the fire.
Those who are chosen are called to be separated…set apart, holy and pure. We are admonished to contend for the faith - struggle, literally, as one competes for a prize, figuratively, as one contends with an adversary.
BOOK OF JUDE
