God tells us to "Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment" (Jude 23). This is a time of great spiritual revolution and revival in this land, and I suspect all across the globe. It is a time of great awakening. We see a renewed confidence in Christ and a willingness to forego worldliness for godliness. We see people putting their faith in Jesus and trusting in His promise of new and eternal life. Jesus’ little brother, Jude, does us a huge favor. He reminds us to be humbly confident in God. And to be honest with each other about what it means to trust in and follow God.
Jude reminds us that God will do what is just and good. It is Christ Jesus who loves us beyond measure and who holds us securely. We can trust God because He is good. God, by His power and as our LORD and God shows us His love and forgives us. We usually get that part. We hear that repeatedly in our Southern Baptist circles. But what’s the heart of Jude’s message. Let’s not miss it.
Jesus wants his people united (John 17:21 and Ephesians 2:1-22). But He also requires loyalty and obedience. We see God’s justice and righteousness - and His unfailing love - in the Book of Hosea. In that Book, we see the consequences for people who prostitute themselves to the world. God says, “I will bring an end to Israel’s independence” (1:4). And God did do that. But we also see through the prophet Hosea that God tells us that in the future Israel’s people will be like the sands of the sea - too many to count and they will be “children of the living God” (1:10).
We hear in Hosea that God calls His people the ones He loves (2:1). Does that sound familiar? It's a heck of a lot better than the ones He does not love. When we come to the wedding feast we must be properly clothed. May God give us more and more mercy, grace, and love. Jude's message is the same message we hear from Paul, John, James, and Peter. We are God’s prized possession, God’s dear children. And we are to act like it, to look like it, and to prove by what we do whose we are.
We are called by God the Father (Jude 1:1) to make a choice about our Savior and leader, Jesus Christ. God has one holy people (1:3), not multiple paths to eternity or multiple peoples of God. There is only one Lord, faith, and baptism (Ephesians 4:5); no one comes to the Father except through faith in Christ Jesus (John 14:6).
Salvation is a gift from God, but His way places responsibility on us. We hear that from all of the Apostles. God draws us and calls us. He uses a myriad of ways, unique and creative ways, to present us with His offer of Salvation. We must choose to accept Jesus as our King, who paid the price on the Cross for our sins - once for all time.
This is what Jude is getting at, we must reject those who preach a tickling easy false gospel that says come to the alter yet live however you want. They say that God’s grace “allows us to live immoral lives” (Jude 1:4). Jude says that such false teachers - who claim to be Christian leaders no less - are condemned by God. They have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (1:4 and Galatians 2:4).
Jude reminds us that remaining faithful is a requirement of a man who calls Christ his King (1:5). John too puts it plainly, “Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God” (3 John 1:11).
So, we are obviously not to be hypocrites. We are the Bride of Christ - God forbid that we love the things of the devil. God forbid that we “live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings" (1:7). How does this get practical. Well, look at the decisions you'll make today and assess them by God's standards. Are you getting ahead off the backs of others, drowning them in debt, or are you helping others? God expects his leaders to be servant leaders. We yield and serve others following only what is good and rejecting false teachings.
This Scripture is a plain warning to be the real deal. We are warned about the reefs that can destroy our faith - by making a practice of sinning and living lives filled with arrogance, pride, greed, and other shameful deeds. We are not to follow these false teachers whose “purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires” (1:18). It’s a sober challenge. Who do we follow? What is the fruit of their lives and ours?
Warnings are worth their weight in gold, as my mum would say. Let’s heed Jude’s warning here. We have God’s Spirit in us. We are to reject those who live immoral lives and yet claim they are God’s anointed leaders.
Instead, we are to build each other up in the most holy faith. We do so in the power of the Holy Spirit. And we are to patiently await the mercy of Christ Jesus. Patience is indeed a virtue.
Just like Jesus did with Israel and Judah, Christ brings justice and mercy. Christ condemns the adulterous and gives eternal life to the faithful. And like our King Jesus, we “must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering” (1:22). Let’s do that today. Let’s love people and show incredible mercy. Lead with mercy.
Be a people snatcher that Jude talks about here, a rescuer that brings people into reconciliation with God. Let's trust that God will give us everything we need to succeed. Christian bravery is growing as more awake and respond to God's call. Let's be brave enough to tell the truth about God and to help all those we encounter today. Amen.
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