Jun 20

Written by: Russell
Monday, June 20, 2011 1:32 PM 

Earnestly Contending For The Faith - Epistle of Jude

Jude gives warnings of the ungodly men who have "crept in unawares". Jude not only warns about these that use the Christian Faith for personal gain, but gives counsel that true believers need to earnestly contend for the Faith "which was ONCE delivered unto the saints." i.e. We are not to be passive about such people. Warnings must be given about them. They are leading people into their erroneous ways - away from the true faith. This potentially means that they will lead people into false hope. i.e. Not true salvation, and not a true life with the Lord in this world. This is very serious.

To drive home the point, Jude points to examples of such men in the past:

• The majority of the adults that the Lord rescued from Egypt were later killed in the desert wanderings because of their unbelief.
• The angels that turn to follow satan are awaiting Judgement day
• Sodom and Gomorrha was destroyed because they turned from the Lord to out and out wickedness. The description of which describes our modern world.

Most of this epistle is give to the condemnation of those who have turned from God.  Jude uses the word 'ungodly' six times in this epistle. In v19 they are described as 'sensual', i.e. they are after the flesh. They do not have the Holy Spirit. So they are not born again, and they are walking after their corrupt fleshly natures. They are carnally minded, which means that they are at enmity with the Lord (Romans 8).

After warning about those who are misleading others, Jude illustrates how serious this warning is. It is people turning others away from, not just the faith, but ultimately - what turning people away from the faith really is - turning people away from God. None of the examples are small error with minimal consequence. All examples are very serious with the ultimate penalty from the Lord - eternal condemnation from God!

Jude ends this short epistle with guidance and encouragement, though not letting up on the seriousness of the matter.
v20/ He advises that they take care to build themselves up in their most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.
v21/ Keeping themselves in the love of God. (John tells us that this means obeying the commands of God.)
v22/ Making a difference in others lives. i.e. Taking care of the Lord's interests in others. Not just looking after myself.
v23/ Strive to reach the lost for Christ. Being careful of the tainting of lives that are carnal. Recognizing how we may be tainted as we involve ourselves with winning them to Christ.
v24-25/ Jude appropriately ends the epistle pointing them to the one who is able to keep them from falling. Falling to the error that they will be exposed to, falling to the moral wickedness that is all around.