Issue 1340 – Hey Jude – January 10, 2024

The other day, I had the pleasure of studying the tiny yet significant New Testament book “Jude”. It was written by none other than one of Jesus’s brothers and, despite its small size (only one chapter and 24 verses), contains some extremely valuable teachings. 

The majority of Jude’s teachings revolve around the dangers of false teaching and false fellowship within the church. He earnestly contends for the faith.

Jude 3-4 states, “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” 

Jude 8-13 goes on to say, “Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.”

 Jude 16-19 further warns, “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, ‘In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.’ It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” 

Jude’s warning has significant implications for the present day. Many churches are rife with poor teaching, with some even exchanging the word “sin” for a victim mentality, such as “It’s not my fault, it’s due to my upbringing or the abuse I suffered.” 

While it’s essential to acknowledge that many people have suffered terrible circumstances, it’s also crucial to take responsibility for our own actions and seek forgiveness for our sins.

 One mega-church that comes to mind has a vast international following, but the leader has publicly stated that people do not need to know they are sinners. The church preaches a gospel of self-esteem, allowing people to feel good all the way to hell. 

True self-esteem comes from knowing who we are in Christ and experiencing His forgiveness and unconditional love. 

There are also churches with Christian roots that have abandoned the “need” for Christ. They teach that there are many paths to salvation, which is precisely what Jude warned against. 

In Jude 2-23 we read,

These teachers pollute the truth and their own destruction follows them. It has been ordained so from before the beginning. What about those who choose to follow such teaching, either by ignoring the truth or due to ignorance? They need to hear the truth and be brought to safety. Jude had this to say to us … “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” 

We are to snatch the lost and deceived away from hell’s fires. We are to love them but hate what they have been taught and their sin. We need to be careful to condemn the teaching and not the one sitting under it.

 If you know people who are stuck under false teachers, pray for them. Encourage them to read the Word for themselves. Invite them to a church where the truth is proclaimed. 

Sitting under false teaching is no small matter; it could be the difference between life and death for many. 

Until next time, “dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”

Be blessed

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)

__________________________________________ 

Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment. 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

______________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

___________________________________________

#love #peace #hope #Gleanings #theWord #devotional #gospel #Christian #hope #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #god #HolySpirit #theology #blessing #BibleReading # #biblestudy #bible #bibleVerse #jesus #christian #god #faith #jesuschrist #godisgood #scripture #biblequotes #love #prayer #christianity #bibleverses #church #christ #worship #blessed #amen #verseoftheday #truth#falseTeachers #heresies #Jude #HeyJude #Beatles #trending

#AbbotsfordAuthors #AbbotsfordWriters #ChristianWriters #BCAuthors #BCWriters #BCChristianWriters #KevinCorbin