This study is divided by verse which might enable you
to do a little each day if you were to print out the study.
A study in the book of Jude
Compiled & study notes by pamela spurling, to the Glory of God.
Jude 1.1
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are
sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This very short and very full book was written by Jude, the brother of
James, hence the brother of the Lord Jesus. (Galatians 1.19: "But the
other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.") We
know that Jude does not identify himself as such, but we deduce this
from the same manner in which James identifies himself (omitting part
of his "title") in his introduction in his epistle, the book of James.
("James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ..." James 1.1)
The time of the writing is thought to be circa AD 66. Like that of
the book of James, the writing is to Christians, Jewish believers,
urging them to contend for the faith. He doesn't indicate his
"apostleship" nor other names by which he is known. There is only the
distinction that he is not the same Judas as the other apostle Judas
Iscariot. This is noteworthy here as it is in the Gospels and the
book of Acts.
(Luke 6.14-16 [the apostles] Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and
Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew
and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And
Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the
traitor.")
Today's verse
Jude 1.1 "Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to
them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus
Christ, and called:"
Acts 1.13
"And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where
abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas,
Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon
Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James."
Matthew 10.3
"Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the
son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;" [[Barnes
commentary: Verse 3. Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddeus. These two
words have the same signification in Hebrew. Luke calls him Judas, by
a slight change from the name Thaddaeus. Such changes are common in
all writings.]]
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This letter or epistle is written: "to them that are sanctified by God
the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:"
1 Peter 1.5
"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready
to be revealed in the last time."
John 10.28-29
"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,
neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which
gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them
out of my Father's hand."
Romans 8.30-31
"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he
called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us,
who can be against us?"
So it is God who calls us, justifies us and keeps us. We have His
Word on it---we must reckon it so. The verse above says: "If God be
for us, who can be against us?" If this is true-*and it is*---then
why do we so often doubt God? Why do we doubt His Word, and why is
our faith and trust in Him so tenuous sometimes?
_________________________________________________.
What are you battling or doubting today that you need to confess and
give over to the LORD?
_________________________________________________.
God being your helper and your strength, what will you endeavor to do this day?
_________________________________________________.
Jude 1.2
"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Because we are called, preserved, and sanctified by God our Father:
mercy, peace and love must necessarily be the fruits of our calling.
Thus, the apostle here includes this in his greeting or salutation.
This is similar to the greetings or salutations made by the apostle
Peter, but notice the word "mercy." Mercy is that marvelous attribute
of the LORD God that endures forever, that lifts us from the dust and
sets us on high, that saves us from what we deserve and pays the price
we could not pay. O, the mercy of the LORD is unfathomable.
1 Peter 1.2
"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
2 Peter 2-4
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,
and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto
us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the
knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are
given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye
might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust."
In 2 Peter (above) we're given more insight into the why and how of
mercy peace and love is being multiplied in our lives---that we might
be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption of the
world. Here Jude also prepares his hearers for the difficult matters
he will share in the verses ahead... he prepares them by crediting and
glorying in the LORD because it is of the LORD that we bear good
fruit.
Matthew 12.33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else
make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by
his fruit.
Luke 6.44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men
do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Do you know the presence of mercy and peace and love in your life?
___________________________________________________.
Are you growing in peace and love?
____________________________________________________.
Do you remember to be merciful to those who "fall short" or disappoint you?
____________________________________________________.
How can you demonstrate mercy today?
____________________________________________________.
Jude 1:2
"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied."
How is mercy, peace and love multiplied?
____________________________________________________.
Is this an act of the LORD alone or are we to multiply the giving of
mercy, peach and love to others?
____________________________________________________.
Albert Barnes Commentary on the New Testament - Jude 1:2
"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. This is not quite
the form of salutation used by the other apostles, but it is one
equally expressive of an earnest desire for their welfare. These
things are mentioned as the choicest blessings which could be
conferred on them: mercy--in the pardon of all their sins and
acceptance with God; peace--with God, with their fellow-men, in their
own consciences, and in the prospect of death; and love--to God, to
the brethren, to all the world. What blessings are there which these
do not include?" ---AB
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."
In studying, thinking on this, and looking through commentaries, I am
continually impressed with the portion of the verse *I gave all
diligence* and noticed a couple of important aspects...
first: quoting Adam Clarke: "[When I gave all diligence] This phrase,
{pasan spoudhn poioumenov}, is a Grecism for being exceedingly intent
upon a subject; taking it up seriously with determination to bring it
to good effect. The meaning of the apostle seems to be this: "Beloved
brethren, when I saw it necessary to write to you concerning the
common salvation, my mind being deeply affected with the dangers to
which the Church is exposed from the false teachers that are gone out
into the world, I found it extremely necessary to write and exhort you
to hold fast the truth which you had received, and strenuously to
contend for that only faith which, by our Lord and his apostles, has
been delivered to the Christians."
Then I noted that we, too, must give all diligence to this matter of
contending for the faith. Are there things in your life to which you
attend *with all diligence*? I know that sometimes women earnestly
contend for or give all diligence to *appearing* a certain way... or
earnestly contend for, or give all diligence to, having certain
things---but do we really give all diligence to earnestly contending
for the faith?
Adam Clarke continues:
"Some think that St. Jude intimates that he had at first purposed to
write to the Church at large, on the nature and design of the Gospel;
but seeing the dangers to which the Churches were exposed, because of
the false teachers, he changed his mind, and wrote pointedly against
those false doctrines, exhorting them strenuously to contend for the
faith."
In our verse today:
What is the common salvation? Yes, the community of faith,
Christianity and the assurance of salvation. It was not common
salvation to all people---rather, common to all believers in Christ.
The grace offered to all believers, and finally, common also because
it is freely offered to Jews and Gentiles alike.
Isaiah 45.17 "But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an
everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world
without end."
Acts 4.12 "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
How is it we contend for the faith?
2 Timothy 1.13-14 "Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast
heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good
thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which
dwelleth in us."
2 Timothy 4.7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that
love his appearing."
William Burkitt's Notes: "Learn, That it is the duty of Christians at
all times, but especially in times of error and seduction, to contend
earnestly for that pure and uncorrupted faith which is contained in
the gospel."
You see sisters?!?!---The Bible IS the Living Word----this book was
written for such a time at this!!!
Jude 1.4
"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."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~.
Here in verse 4 we have one of the greatest and most important reasons
for (v. 3) earnestly contending for the faith! In order to earnestly
contend for something, one must be very familiar with it, one must be
very sure of it, and one must be wholly dedicated to it. One would
likely not truly earnestly contend for something for which they were
not also willing to die. And so it must be with us... our earnest
contention for the faith must be thus. We must be thoroughly
furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3.17). We must study to know
the Scriptures---really *know* and the reason for the hope that lies
within us ( 1Peter 3.15). As women, we are often easily swayed into
thinking that if something looks good, seems good, works well, etc.,
that it *must* be good... and herein is the problem---if something is
contrary to the Word and work of God, it is wrong---no matter how good
or "right" it looks, feels, or sounds.
Have you had things creep into your life so subtly that you were
unaware of the danger or error? This is the matter to which Jude
alludes when he says "there are certain men crept in unawares..."
Notice: they were foreordained to this condemnation---not to *do*
these things, but to the condemnation they receive *because* they do
these things. Just as there was corruption in the church in those
days, there is corruption in the church today... the sensual gospel,
"easy-believism," pride, false doctrine, etc.
I will dare to bring up a matter that has been the subject of great
controversy---but it is case in point, and it is the teaching and
personal position of the leader of the weigh-down diet and workshops.
I have read the (very long) statement on the weigh-down website and
would *strongly* caution ANY woman to very very carefully weigh and
seek her husband's counsel before subscribing to her program or
philosophy. I bring this up, almost in fear and trepidation---not
because it is necessarily a matter in all churches today, but simply
because it is a matter that has led countless thousands of women
astray or has caused them to decide to ignore or doubt Truth. One of
Satan's chief aims is to cause doubt... to raise suspicions and to
deceive. Her teaching regarding the Trinity does just this. Beware,
please. Again, this is not meant to offend or attack any woman and is
shared in sincerity and love.
So back to the matter of deception creeping into churches... the very
picture of someone creeping in unawares gives us the idea that it is
so subtle and quiet that it is unnoticed at first... sort of like
change that is so gradual it is not noticed for years. This is where
the American Christian church is today... so many different styles,
attempts to please man, attempts to not offend, the church is
open-season for such activity today.
2 Peter 2.1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even
as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction."
A couple of interesting thoughts from William Burkitt's commentary on
verse 4:
"He styles them wicked, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into
lasciviousness; pointing at the Nicolaitans, Gnostics, and other
impure heretics, that sprang from Simon Magus, who made the doctrine
of the free grace of God, discovered in the gospel, a cloak for their
looseness and lasciviousness. Errors in doctrine are usually
accompanied with corruption in manners, as being most suitable [!!] to
man's corrupt, vile nature, and will be sure never to want [be
lacking] followers.
"Learn hence, 1. That Jesus Christ, the Master of the world, the Lord
of the church, is truly God; he is called the great God, and the
mighty God, to show that he is not a God inferior to, but equal to,
the Father, and that by nature, not by office.
Learn, 2. That it is an horrid impiety to deny our Lord Jesus Christ,
to deny him in either of his natures, or in any of his offices; to
deny him either in opinion, or in practice, is a sin that carries a
prodigious appearance with it: They denied the only Lord God, and our
Lord Jesus Christ."
So, again, I ask you (and I am examining my own heart here as well)
Have you had things creep into your life so subtly that you were
unaware of the danger or error?
____________________________________________________-
Are there things that have crept into your life that are damaging your
witness or your faith in the LORD? What do you need to confess and
turn from ? What changes do you need to make and/or what do you need
to talk over with your husband?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Jude 1.4
"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."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
I wanted to share with you a bit more about this very important
verse... and to ask you to consider it one more time... consider the
verse tucked into this very small letter as commentator Ray Stedman
says of the book that is lying at the very back door of the New
Testament. So much content packed into so few words is one of the
clues to stand up and take notice of this little letter! Why would
the LORD have inspired that it be included in the canon of
Scripture---especially, as we will see in the days to come, that there
are some difficult verses to reconcile and understand. Not so with
our verse today---false doctrine creeping into the church is not
difficult to understand---but it surely is easy to miss if the church
is 'asleep' or ignorant of the Scriptures!
Let us be very careful not to treat irreverently or esteem lightly the
grace of God and the teachings of the Word. Let us also be very
careful to weigh the teachings and "philosophies" of others... Let us
not hastily run after those things which are sensational or
remarkable---rather let's weigh them... Let us "Prove all things; hold
fast to that which is good." ---1Thessalonians 5.21
And the thought for today:
"Some men, not content with [Christ] alone, are borne hither and
thither from one hope to another; even if they concern
themselves chiefly with him, they nevertheless stray from the right
way in turning some part of their thinking in another
direction. Yet such distrust cannot creep in where men have once for
all truly known the abundance of his blessings."
... John Calvin,
The Institutes of the Christian Religion [1559]
Jude 1.5
"I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew
this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of
Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
Jude gives us strong reason to be students of both the Old and the New
Testaments. His statement "put you in remembrance," and then going
on to say "though ye once knew this," is a strong exhortation for us
today! We must needs keep the things we have heard, the things we
have read, the things we have learned of the LORD in instant
"remembrance!"
Many times I include long references because of the context and our
need to understand the Scriptures---we need to know the ways of the
LORD through the ages. The following is at Kadesh-barnea---the
unbelief of the children of Israel. You may want to read the
surrounding verses for depth and context.
Numbers 14.29-37
29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were
numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old
and upward, which have murmured against me, 30 Doubtless ye shall not
come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell
therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
{sware: Heb. lifted up my hand} 31 But your little ones, which ye said
should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land
which ye have despised. 32 But as for you, your carcases, they shall
fall in this wilderness. 33 And your children shall wander in the
wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases
be wasted in the wilderness. {wander: or, feed} 34 After the number of
the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for
a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall
know my breach of promise. {breach...: or, altering of my purpose} 35
I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil
congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this
wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. 36 ¶ And
the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made
all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander
upon the land, 37 Even those men that did bring up the evil report
upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD."
What does this say to us today? Do we esteem lightly the Word and
works of the LORD?
As it did then in the wilderness, it does today, the sin of unbelief
will prevent entry into the promised land. We cannot assume that
because we once knew and practiced obedience that it will carry us
through... we must keep short accounts, and let us not rest in or rely
on anything that denies the Truths of the Word or the working of God
in our lives. We serve the same God today--the same in power, in
might, in mercy, in judgement, in grace, in forgiveness, in hope.
There is sure punishment for those who will deny or disobey the
commands of the LORD. In this we must be very careful to not follow
after those who would preach only the "feel good" part of the gospel.
Finally, this must give us fresh zeal to share with the unsaved the
truth of the gospel---that God is real, His Truths are eternal---He is
the only righteous---all will perish in their unbelief.
What to you need to bring back to your remembrance today?
________________________________________________________
Jude 1.6-7
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own
habitation,
he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the
judgment
of the great day.
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like
manner,
giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh,
are set
forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
Proverbs 11.21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be
unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
Proverbs 28.26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso
walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.
Sobering examples of God's Justice and Righteousness.
Our Lord Jesus in the Gospel of John is quoted as saying: (John
8.38-44)
38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which
ye have seen with your father.
39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith
unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of
Abraham.
40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth,
which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not
born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me:
for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but
he sent me.
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my
word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye
will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he
speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
2 Peter 2.4-6
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to
hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto
judgment;
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a
preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the
ungodly;
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned
them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after
should live ungodly;
Jude 1.8
"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise
dominion, and speak evil of dignities."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
In the previous verses we have seen the warning of those of the
apostasy, those who would creep into the church causing division and
confusion. Then we looked (yesterday) at a few examples of the
consequences of such apostasy, and today we see some descriptions of
apostate teachers. There are many words which would describe or define
an apostate: deserter, heretic, and defector, to name a few. Here
also, Jude describes them as filthy dreamers. Is that what we call
those who are misleading the church today???
2 Peter 2.10 "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust
of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they,
selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." {government: or,
dominion}
I think you'll appreciate Albert Barnes' Commentary on Jude 8 because
of it direct conciseness! Think of the time frame to which he is
referring! The Word is a Living Word today, isn't it!?!
AB:
"In the same way do these persons defile the flesh, or resemble the
inhabitants of Sodom; that is, they practice the same kind of vices.
What the apostle says is, that their character resembled that of the
inhabitants of Sodom; the example which he adduces of the punishment
which was brought on those sinners, leaves it to be clearly inferred
that the persons of whom he was speaking would be punished in a
similar manner. These filthy dreamers. The word filthy has been
supplied by our translators, but there is no good reason why it should
have been introduced. The Greek word (enupniazw) means to dream; and
is applied to these persons as holding doctrines and opinions which
sustained the same relation to truth which dreams do to good sense.
Their doctrines were the fruits of mere imagination, foolish vagaries
and fancies. The word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament, except
in Ac 2:17, where it is applied to visions in dreams.
Defile the flesh. Pollute themselves; give indulgence to corrupt passions and appetites.
Despise dominion. The same Greek word is used here which occurs in 2 Peter 2:10..."
Can you think of literal example of this today?
The world has not changed, has it?
__________________________________________________________
Jude 1.8
"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise
dominion, and speak evil of dignities."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
Here, Jude talks of those who defile the flesh, hate government, speak evil of ( Greek:
blasphemeo) dignities.
Again, not too far different than what occurs today, yes?
I am using Albert Barnes Commentary today because of a definition he
includes in his commentary---I mean it not for confusion, but for
clarification. The word "filthy" does not appear in the Greek text I
reference and Barnes makes mention of this. However, it is plain that
the practices of these "dreamers" were filthy as they sought to
destroy.
AB--Verse 8. "Likewise also. In the same way do these persons defile
the flesh, or resemble the inhabitants of Sodom; that is, they
practice the same kind of vices. What the apostle says is, that their
character resembled that of the inhabitants of Sodom; the example
which he adduces of the punishment which was brought on those sinners,
leaves it to be clearly inferred that the persons of whom he was
speaking would be punished in a similar manner. These filthy
dreamers. The word filthy has been supplied by our translators, but
there is no good reason why it should have been introduced. The Greek
word (enupniazw) means to dream; and is applied to these persons as
holding doctrines and opinions which sustained the same relation to
truth which dreams do to good sense. Their doctrines were the fruits
of mere imagination, foolish vagaries and fancies. The word occurs
nowhere else in the New Testament, except in Ac 2:17, where it is
applied to visions in dreams.
Defile the flesh. Pollute themselves; give indulgence to corrupt
passions and appetites."
Despise dominion. The same Greek word is used here which occurs in
2Pe 2:10." ---AB
Here we have another insight and more teaching for application today.
When we listen to teachers of the Word... pastors, teachers, radio
Bible teachers; when we read books, magazines and articles, we must
take note of the words we are hearing and carefully measure them in
light of the inspired Word of God. We must carefully weigh ideas that
seem new to us and search the Scriptures daily, in the righteous
balance of the Word. And with the reflecting and considering what we
hear, we must pray for wisdom through the Holy Spirit.
Are the radio or television Bible teachers you listen to teaching the
Scriptures *from* the Scriptures and do their own lives and their own
words line up with the inerrant Word of God?
______________________________________________________-
When you have questions, do you go to the Word? Do you search to know
what God says on a matter? Are you seeking the counsel of your
husband?
_______________________________________________________
Jude 1.9
"Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed
about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing
accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
This is one of those "unexplainable" and perplexing verses in the
Word. It appears to have has no reference point in the Word, and
gives commentators great difficulty in explanation. I being simply a
student of the Word would not begin to assume understanding, so, I
will say that evidently the LORD revealed this matter and thus it is
part of the inspired Word of God. I do not question those things for
which I do not find explanation---I pray for wisdom, for understanding
and application. For a couple of similar passages, see 2 Peter 2.11
and Zechariah 3.2.
I will say that we can learn from this that *we* are not to rebuke the
devil, it is the LORD's to do this.
John Wesley's Notes on Jude 1.9
"Yet Michael-It does not appear whether St. Jude learned this by any
revelation or from ancient tradition. It suffices, that these things
were not only true, but acknowledged as such by them to whom he wrote.
The archangel-This word occurs but once more in the sacred writings,
1Th 4:16. So that whether there be one archangel only, or more, it is
not possible for us to determine.
When he disputed with the devil-At what time we know not.
Concerning the body of Moses-Possibly the devil would have
discovered the place where it was buried, which God for wise reasons
had concealed.
Durst not bring even against him a railing accusation-Though so far
beneath him in every respect. But simply said, (so great was his
modesty!)
The Lord rebuke thee-I leave thee to the Judge of all."
Jude 1.10-11
10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what
they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt
themselves.
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran
greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the
gainsaying of Core.
~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
Here Jude continues his description of those who would deceive, and
corrupt the gospel. Having already described them as filthy dreamers
who defile the flesh, he now charges them with several evils... the
sin of pride, for speaking things they do not know; arrogance for
wrong assumptions; greed and slander. Now this is grievous---as we
read in Proverbs 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride,
and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."
Now, sometimes you will hear of read or read of the error of Balaam.
When I read this I immediately think, is this the sin of Balaam, the
error of Balaam, or the doctrine of Balaam to which the Scriptures
refer. From what I understand, the error of Balaam was that with
reason from the natural standpoint, he saw the evil of Israel and
*thought* God must curse them---natural reasoning... but God's ways
are higher than our ways, His thoughts than our thoughts, who can know
them? So then, the *way* of Balaam was that he was anxious to show
his way---market his gift and then, you will read of the doctrine of
Balaam (Rev. 2.14) and this was teaching Balak to corrupt the
people---but they could not be cursed---but the teaching was to tempt
them to marry those whom they were commanded not to marry (Moabite
women)---defiling themselves in doing so. I am sure I haven't made
this very clear---now, in Numbers you can read of this and you will
see there were several things at play there---but namely the pride of
life and arrogancy was at the root. Balak was the King of the
Moabites and Balaam was a "hireling prophet" of the LORD---in
actuality, he did do---in part--- what the LORD had said---but in the
process, he pridefully did much more for himself and had himself
exalted... this is fascinating reading---you might want to take
several minutes and read the account beginning in chapter 22 of Numbers.
I am not suggesting a parallel between the behavior of Balaam and our
behavior at times, but, Do we ever do such a thing as this? Knowing
what God wants from us and actually doing that thing, but at the same
time, making sure that *we* get the good end of the deal or get
something out of the deal---as if *we* know better than God what's
best for us?
Jude 1.12-13
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you,
feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water,
carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit,
twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming
out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness for ever.
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
Now we have come to a description of what these deceivers are like.
Please be mindful that this is an apt description of all who would be
deceivers in the Christian church today---in our day of ecumenical
teaching and "cheap grace" this is going to be more and more common.
We must weigh very carefully what we hear, see and read. Can you
imagine the condition of our world were the LORD to *not* hold it all
together in the palm of His hand or were he to *not* sit upon the
circle of the earth, nor stretch out the heavens as a curtain?!?! (Is.
40.22)
Read for yourself, pray for understanding from the LORD, examples He
might show you and references He might bring to your mind-----then....
See William Burkitt's commentary on these two verses:
"Our apostle having set forth these seducers in the foregoing verses
by sundry examples, he now comes to set them forth by several
similitudes and resemblances.
1. He calls them spots in their love-feasts, (the infamy of their
lives being a blemish and scandal to their Christian assemblies,)
feeding without fear either of offending God or man.
2. He calls them clouds without water, promising rain, but yielding
none; making a show of knowledge, but indeed having none; and they are
driven (as clouds by the wind) from one vanity to another.
3. Trees they are, but like them in autumn which have neither leaves
nor fruit: nay, trees twice dead, in sin before conversion, and in
respect of their apostasy after their conversion, and so shall be
plucked up by the roots.
4. They are like raging waves of the sea, turbulent and tumultuous,
foaming out at their mouths the filthiness and impurity that boileth
in their hearts.
5. Wandering stars, or teachers unstable, departing from the true
faith once delivered to them; but for these illuminated and knowing
teachers is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." ---WB
Jude 1.14
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying,
Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
This is the blessed hope for every believer---the our LORD and King
will one day return---as you recall from our Galatians study: Christ
in you, the hope of Glory. Remember as we studied in verse 4 of this
book, that the ungodly were foreordained to this destiny---to this
condemnation at the last day. It is sure, that the return of the LORD
will surely be with an innumerable host--- that the saints will return
with Him and there will come the judgement.
Let's look at John Wesley's Notes on this verse:
"And of these also-As well as the antediluvian sinners.
Enoch-So early was the prophecy referred to (Jude 1:4).
The seventh from Adam-There were only five of the fathers between Adam
and Enoch, 1Ch 1:1-3. The first coming of Christ was revealed to
Adam; his second, glorious coming, to Enoch; and the seventh from Adam
foretold the things which will conclude the seventh age of the world.
St. Jude might know this either from some ancient book, or tradition,
or immediate revelation. --- Behold-As if it were already done, the
Lord cometh!" ---JW
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
Interesting... the LORD's personality or pattern of seven's shows
through again... we have Old Testament types and the prophesied New
Testament fulfillment of the types and the yet unfulfilled types.
When you read or hear of "types," you can know that these are things
that illustrate a truth---a spiritual truth---most often these are
seen in the Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible) but also in
other places. Types are persons, places, events, ceremonies, etc.---
types help us see the truth of God revealed in other ways---the truth
of the Redeemer in other ways that we can correlate with the truths we
know in the New Testament. Like, when we know that the LORD provided
coverings for Adam and Eve because their coverings were inadequate,
this was a type of Christ---divinely provided acceptable coverings
that they might be acceptable in God's sight. Types... makes for an
interesting study. You may want to do a study in the first five
books---or the Pentateuch---sometime. It will give you a whole new
appreciation for the New Testament and the fulfillment in the Life of
Christ.
So, if the LORD is to return, and He most surely will, then how should
our lives be lived today?
___________________________________________________.
What difference does this truth make in your life?
___________________________________________________.
And if your were to know that today is the day, what would you do this
day?
___________________________________________________.
Jude 1.15
"To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are
ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly
committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have
spoken against him."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
This after v. 14, the prophesy of the LORD's return with ten thousands
of His saints.
Albert Barnes commentary helps us understand this verse a bit better.
Verse 15. [To execute judgment upon all.] That is, He shall come to
judge all the dwellers upon the earth, good and bad.
[And to convince all] The word convince we now use commonly in a
somewhat limited sense, as meaning to satisfy a man's own mind either
of the truth of some proposition, or of the fact that he has done
wrong, as being in this latter sense synonymous with the word convict.
This conviction is commonly produced by argument or truth... But this
is clearly not the sense in which the word is used here. The purpose
of the coming of the Lord will not be to convince men in that sense,
though it is undoubtedly true that the wicked will see that their
lives have been wrong; but it will be to pronounce a sentence on them
as the result of the evidence of their guilt. The Greek word which is
here used occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.
[All that are ungodly among them] All that are not pious; all that
have no religion.
[Of all their ungodly deeds...] Of their wicked actions and words.
This is the common doctrine of the Bible, that all the wicked actions
and words of men will be called into judgment. In regard to this
passage, thus quoted from an ancient prophecy, we may remark,
[Regarding the inclusion of these verses:]
(1.) that the style bears the marks of its being a quotation, or of
its being preserved by Jude in the language in which it had been
handed down by tradition. It is not the style of Jude. It is not so
terse, pointed, energetic.
(2.) It has every probable mark of its having been actually delivered
by Enoch. The age in which he lived was corrupt. The world was
ripening for the deluge. He was himself a good man, and, as would seem
perhaps, almost the only good man of his generation. Nothing would be
more natural than that he should be reproached by hard words and
speeches, and nothing more natural than that he should have pointed
the men of his own age to the future judgment.
(3.) The doctrine of the final judgment, if this was uttered by Enoch,
was an early doctrine in the world. It was held even in the first
generations of the race. It was one of those great truths early
communicated to man to restrain him from sin, and to lead him to
prepare for the great events which are to occur on the earth. The same
doctrine has been transmitted from age to age, and is now one of the
most important and the most affecting that refers to the final destiny
of men."
---AB
This is sobering... once again, we have a solid exhortation to make
sure our salvation... for judgement shall surely come and those found
wanting shall surely face separation from God in a Christless
eternity. This is sure.
We can be sure that God has heard every word spoken in jest, every
speech spoken against Him, and has seen every deed good and
evil---with prepared judgement from the foundation of the world.
What action does this prompt for you today?
_______________________________________________________.
Thus has been the same from the beginning---can you fathom how many
generations to whom God has revealed Himself, how many generations the
atoning death of the LORD has covered!?!?!?
Though we will never be righteous before God, and yet righteousness is
required in God's sight, I must be sure I know the LORD my
righteousness. I can do nothing of my own strength---it can and must
only come from our Lord Jesus, His Forgiveness, His blood, His
atonement made for you, His atonement made for me---we are nothing
without Him.
1 Samuel 2.3 "Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy
come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him
actions are weighed."
Here we have come to Jude 1.16 in our study:
"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."
.~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~..~.~.~.~
Jude continues on here to describe the state or condition of these
false teachers, seducers, "wolves in sheep's clothing" who come into
the church deceiving not only themselves, but attempting to deceive
those in the body and to snatch them away for their own selfish works or gain.
These are murmurers... murmuring against the church, against God...
and yet appearing to be not so. They complain about their situations,
their fate---all this against God. The walk according to their own
agenda, their own ideas, whatever they have purposed in their
deceitful hearts.
They complain about their lot in life---completely missing the great
virtue of contentment. ---1Timothy 6.6 "But godliness with contentment
is great gain." See what this lack of contentment will surely bring?
These murmurers set their own standard by their own lusts---whatever
they have concluded to be right in their eyes, neglecting the teaching
of the prophets and teachers of the LORD. They complain about their
fate which is sure, but they deny it.
Why are they believable??? Because they speak with great aplomb, they
are impressive, their words are what some describe as words that
tickle the ears---saying things perhaps that people want to hear---you
see the deceit? Have you been in situations where one is flattering
others to elevate themselves?
Does this sound like some personalities you have seen or heard?
Proverbs 28.21 "To have respect of persons is not good: for for a
piece of bread that man will transgress."
This is to advance themselves at the expense of others---for their
self gain for the lust they have in their hearts and the gathering of
"a following." This is pride and for this pride these will be cast
into the lake of fire. Tough stuff, but true. God cannot be
mocked---whatsoever a man sows, that will he also reap.
Remember we studied this in Galatians: (ch. 6, vs 7-8)
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting."
So, there are serious consequences of murmuring and complaining
against God... do we do this? Do we murmur about our conditions,
about our plight in life, about what God has or has not provided?
Psalms 106.25 "But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the
voice of the LORD."
Luke 5.30 "But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his
disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and
sinners?"
Philippians 2.14-15 "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye
shine as lights in the world;"
2 Peter 2.18-19 "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity,
they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness,
those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they
promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption:
for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."
Jude 16 "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."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Interesting timing in receiving the following... (but isn't it just
like the LORD to punctuate a lesson with another lesson, truth or
event?!? My husband sent this to me immediately after I had sent the
study for Wednesday.)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
A really patient man neither complains nor seeks to be pitied; he will
speak simply and truly of his trouble, without exaggerating its weight
or bemoaning himself. If others pity him, he will accept their
compassion patiently, unless they pity him for some ill he is not
enduring, in which case he will say so with meekness, and abide in
patience and truthfulness, combating his grief and not complaining of
it.
... Francois de Sales (1567-1622)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Are you up to singing this morning???
O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad The honours of thy name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears, 'Tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and, listening to his voice, New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe.
Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ;
Ye blind, behold your Saviour come, And leap, ye lame, for joy.
Look unto him, ye nations, own Your God, ye fallen race;
Look, and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace.
See all your sins on Jesus laid: The Lamb of God was slain,
His soul was once an offering made For every soul of man.
Awake from guilty nature's sleep, And Christ shall give you light,
Cast all your sins into the deep, And wash you purest white.
With me, your chief, ye then shall know, Shall feel your sins
forgiven;
Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven.
... Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
Jude 17-19
17 "But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of
the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time,
who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the
Spirit."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The resemblance to 2 Peter 1-3 is noteworthy:
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I
stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the
holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord
and Saviour:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
What does this tell us----YES! *Remember!* We must *remember* what
the LORD has foreordained, what He has foretold in the Word and what
He has promised. We need to *remember* and not be afraid with any
amazement! If it were not so He would have told us! When you see
signs of our times, you remember what was foretold in the Word and
these things do not alarm you---you stop, stand still and watch
because you know these things were foretold in the Word.
What Jude calls mockers, Peter called scoffers. Do you recognize the
pattern of separation? Mockers, scoffers, those who would deceive
cannot remain in the church---not a truly Bible believing/adhering
church. So... this is often the springboard for cults---those who
follow after the flesh, not the Spirit.
1 Timothy 4.1-2
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron;"
Hebrews 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as
the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the
more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Corinthians 2.14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know
them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2 Timothy 4.3-4
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and
shall be turned unto fables."
You see as we read these different references... we can see that the
LORD has indeed foretold us what we can expect, what we will see as
that Day approaches. We need look no further than the Word to see the
pattern the LORD has shown us will occur. Each Scripture reference
details for us the very practices we can literally see today... the
enemy subtly entering churches... subtly deceiving even the elect...
You might go back and reread the Scriptures above, or look them up and
mark them in your own Bible... ask the LORD for wisdom that you not
fall into temptation or deception but that you will be led by the
Spirit in Truth. Pray with your husband if there be any teaching that
is not in accordance with the Holy Word of God. Pray for your church
leadership, that they not fall into error---pray for them--- to be
wise, humble and obedient to the Word---no matter what man may say.
How do we know? We must test... we must pray for wisdom and
discernment and not be fooled by the sensual nature. This is why we
must daily be in the Word, in prayer, and must not forsake the
assembling of ourselves together with believers... we must pray to
discern false teaching...those who are not walking in Truth:
James 3.15-18
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
[Prove all things, hold fast to that which is good...
And this is the test:]
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make
peace.
Jude 20
"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Ghost"
Here, today, it seems we turn a corner... having dealt throughout the
book with contending for the faith, standing against apostasy,
defining the character and actions of false teachers, mockers and
those who would separate from the Word---from the church; now we come
to the final verses of this wonderful letter and have instruction, as
it were, of how we should then live.
Again: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" (v. 20)
These word: "But ye..." We are to understand: but you, you are not
like those who have been led astray. You belong to God through faith
in Jesus our Lord. The instruction is to be built up on our most holy
faith. We are not to be built up by tradition of men, by church
doctrine, beliefs or statements of faith---rather we are to be built
up on our most holy faith. Where does this come from?---surely not
from man! It is of the LORD. We know that the Word says that faith
comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10.17)
So then, sisters in the LORD, you and I must *must* must spend time
daily being rooted and grounded in the Word of God. We must
thoroughly acquaint ourselves with this marvelous gift: the Living
Word of God. This is how we will be built up---and conversely, when
we are feeling down---torn down, we likely could trace it to *not* being in the Word.
So how do we go about being built up in the Word?
___________________________________________________.
Does a daily quiet time matter?
___________________________________________________.
Colossians 2.7 "Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the
faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."
The remainder of our verse: "...praying in the Holy Ghost" As we
have studied in Colossians and Ephesians, it cannot be stressed
enough: the importance of prayer in a woman's life---in the believer's
life. This is your lifeline, this is your salvation. I will say that
if a woman is experiencing dryness in her walk with the LORD that
there is likely a corresponding diminished prayer life.
So, how do we develop a prayer life, how do we learn to build
ourselves up in the faith? Well, first this is the prompting and the
work of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8.26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we
know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself
maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Even when we do not know how to pray, what to say, or what to do, the
Spirit is making intercession for us. However, we can be in a posture
of prayer... daily setting aside specific time to pray, to study and
to meditate on God's Word. This may not be easy, especially at first,
but I assure you that once you develop the discipline of daily prayer
and study and meditation in the Word---your life will be transformed
and you will *thirst* after the LORD and you will *long* for the Word.
This longing will bring you to daily drink from the rich well of God's Word.
Ephesians 6.18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints;"
Do you have a daily prayer time?
_______________________________________________________.
If "no," would you commit to the LORD that this is something you
would desire Him to help you establish?
_______________________________________________________.
Jude 21
"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
How do we keep ourselves in the love of God?
_________________________________________________________.
This is answered in part by our lesson yesterday---building oneself up
in the holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. So, then, to keep
ourselves in the love of God, we must be faith-filled and prayerful.
The disciplined prayer life builds faith, and faith builds love, and
the disciplined prayer life yields both faith and love. And then,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ deepens our love for
Him and our looking for His mercy. You see the cycle or the pattern?
Now, why does it say we are to be "...looking for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."?
For one thing, we cannot pray in the Spirit without the
Spirit---meaning we must have the blessed hope in salvation through
faith in Christ Jesus---so then we must make sure our salvation.
At this point, this would seem a peculiar---even an absurd question...
but, Do you know Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour?
If your answer is anything other than an assured YES! then, I pray
just now that you would stop(!) confess you are a sinner separated
from God in your sin, seek His forgiveness and accept His forgiveness,
cleansing, Lordship and gift of salvation through faith in Him for His
Lordship and eternal life. Having done this, we all must continue on
in the faith, "...looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto
eternal life."
Titus 2
"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that
he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Colossians 1.23
"If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was
preached to every creature which is under heaven..."
2 Peter 3.12
"Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein
the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall
melt with fervent heat?"
What do these thoughts or these verses prompt in your own thinking?
_______________________________________________________.
What is the LORD speaking to your heart?
_______________________________________________________.
I pray that you will be settled today in this blessed hope!
Jude 22-23
"And of some have compassion, making a difference. And others save
with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment
spotted by the flesh."
I think you'll really appreciate John Wesley's Notes on this
verse...(v. 22.) "Meantime watch over others, as well as yourselves,
and give them such help as their various needs require. For instance,
1.) Some, that are wavering in judgment, staggered by others' or by
their own evil reasoning, endeavour more deeply to convince of the
whole truth as it is in Jesus. 2.) Some snatch, with a swift and
strong hand, out of the fire of sin and temptation. 3.) On others show
compassion in a milder and gentler way; though still with a jealous
fear, lest yourselves be infected with the disease you endeavour to
cure. See, therefore, that while you love the sinners, ye retain the
utmost abhorrence of their sins, and of any the least degree of, or
approach to, them."
Galatians 6.1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;
considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
James 5.19-20 "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one
convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from
the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a
multitude of sins."
So, what do you think about these two verses today... as Christian
women, do we have a responsibility to confront or pull a "backslidden"
or misguided person "out of the fire" as it were? Should we be this
bold? From the instruction of these verses, to do less would be
unmerciful. But the caution remains that in our zeal to come
alongside to lift them out of the heap, we exercise discretion lest we
fall.
Do you make a difference in people's lives?
_______________________________________________________.
Does your behavior and conversation point others to Jesus and inspire
them to turn from their worldly ways to Him?
_______________________________________________________.
What corrections might you need to make?
_______________________________________________________.
1 Timothy 4.16 "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and
them that hear thee."
Jude 24
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present
you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
To Jesus---who is able to keep us from falling into sin---into
temptation---into believing false teaching... THEN---to present us
faultless---*faultless* before the LORD. What *love* and what *mercy*
and what *grace* to save us...to prepare a way for us and to reserve
it just for us----with *exceeding* *joy* -----------what love!
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
You know how sometimes I have shared with you different Greek
words ---pointing them out because of their preciseness, well, here we
have another such word (or phrase) and it is "to keep you from
falling" this word apparently is found nowhere else in the New
Testament, and so you get the idea of its particular precise
application. [Strong's 679] aptaistos, ap-tah'-ee-stos; from 1 (as a
negative particle) and a derivative of 4417; not stumbling, i.e.
(figuratively) without sin:--from falling.
Again, what love!
Do you know Him to keep you from falling? Do you trust Him to keep
you from falling?
_____________________________________________________.
For you personally, from what do you pray He will keep you---what
temptation, or the propensity to what particular sin do you pray HE
keeps you from falling into?
_____________________________________________________.
Confess it and ask Him today...
_____________________________________________________.
(I assure you, He promises to hear and answer your prayer...I also
feel as though I assure you --- there will be a testing of your
faith...trust Him. I pray exceeding joy for each one of us today)
Colossians 1.22 "In the body of his flesh through death, to present
you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:"
Ephesians 3.20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly
above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"
Romans 16.25-26 "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according
to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world
began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the
prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made
known to all nations for the obedience of faith:"
And so we come to the closing verse... and the end of our study
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Jude 25
To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and
power, both now and ever. Amen.
.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
The only wise God... He is not just the only wise God, He is the only
God, He is God---and most surely: God our Savior means: To our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ...be e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g: glory, majesty,
dominion, and power. EVERYTHING---period.
GOD IS!!!
"God is Lord Almighty, Omnipotent King, Lion of Judah, Rock of
Ages, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Provider,
Protector, Paternal Leader, Ruling Lord and Reigning King of
all the universe.
He is Father, Helper, Guardian and God. He is the First and Last,
the Beginning and the End. He is the keeper of Creation and the
Creator of all He keeps. The Architect of the universe
and the Manager of all times.
He always was, is, and will be: Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated,
and never Undone. He was bruised and brought healing. He was
pierced and eased pain. He was persecuted and brought freedom. He
was dead and brought life. He is risen and brings power. He reigns
and brings Peace.
The world can't understand him, the armies can't defeat Him, the
schools can't explain Him, and the leaders can't ignore Him. Herod
couldn't kill Him, the Pharisees couldn't confuse Him,
the people couldn't hold Him! Nero couldn't crush Him. Hitler
couldn't silence Him, the New Age can't replace Him and Donahue
can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord. He is goodness, kindness,
gentleness, and God. He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and
pure. His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is
unchanging, and His mind is on me! His is my redeemer, He is my
saviour, He is my guide, He is my peace, He is my Joy, He is my
comfort, He is my Lord and He rules my life.
I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His
goal for me is abundant life. I follow Him because He is the
wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of
days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders, the overseer of
the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord of all that was, is and is
to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size. His goal
is a relationship with ME! He will never leave me, forsake me,
mislead me, forget me, overlook me, and never cancel my
appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up. When I fail, He forgives me. When I
am weak, He is strong. When I am lost, He is The Way. When I am
afraid, He is my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I
am hurt, He heals me. When I am broken, He mends me. When I am
blind, He leads me. When I am hungry, He feeds me. When I face
trials, He is with me When I face persecution, He stills me. When
I face problems, He comforts me. When I face loss, He provides for
me. When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time, and in
every way. He is God, He is faithful, I am His, and He is mine. My
Father in heaven can whip the father of this world, and so, if
you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this: He
said it, and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well
with my soul."
~ Author Unknown
Thus endeth our study in the book of Jude. ---pamela spurling 2001
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