Chapter 1
-Jude was the brother of James,
and the half-brother of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that he calls
himself a servant (doulos,
bond-servant, slave) of his Lord and Savior. This reflects the Deity of Christ
Jesus and Jude’s place in authority. He writes to those who are called (klatos, the invited), and beloved IN God
the Father and KEPT for Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1). He asks the Lord’s favor in
the multiplication of mercy, peace, and love upon his recipients in this
unknown church (Jude 1:2).
-Jude started out to write about
salvation, but as he was carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21), the
Lord placed it in him to expound on contending for the faith already received
that was once and for all time delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). The issue
was false teachers and deceivers that had crept in unnoticed to the church.
These ungodly were long ago designated for this condemnation. They pervert the
grace of God in sensuality (sexual immorality) and deny the only Master, the
Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4). By way of reminder, he sets forth the necessity
for belief using the children of Israel as a stark depiction of unbelief coming
out of Egypt and perishing. He also uses the fallen angels who did not stay in
their position of authority, but left their proper dwelling in Heaven out of
rebellion (among whom was Lucifer, or Satan, the evil one) to demonstrate the
demise of the doomed ones. Their judgment is keeping them in eternal chains
under gloomy darkness, just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which
pursued the same sexual immorality and perversion of unnatural desire. The
eternal fire awaits those who stay turned against God and His ways. These false
teachers rely on their dreams, rather than the prophetic Word of God; they
defile the flesh, reject dominion (authority, people in charge), and blaspheme
the glorious ones. The angel Michael is cited as using his authority to correct
with rebuke in the proper order under authority. He stated, “The Lord rebuke
you,” rather than take prideful matters into his own hands. The evil ones
blaspheme what they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they,
like unreasoning (unthinking) animals, understand instinctively as fallen
creatures. They have walked in the unbelief of Cain (Genesis 4, Hebrews 11:4),
in the error of Balaam (Numbers 22-24; 31:16, 2 Peter 2:15, Revelation 2:14), and
in the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16:5-49). These unrighteous ones are
compared to hidden reefs (think about the unseen dangers beneath the ocean
waves where sharp and dangerous coral reefs are) at the love feasts
(fellowships) of the church. These have no fear of God and feed themselves selfishly.
They are waterless clouds swept along by strong winds. They are fruitless trees
in late autumn. They are twice dead (physical and spiritual). They are uprooted,
wild waves of the sea casting up the foam of their own shame. They are
wandering and drifting stars in a vast galaxy without orbit for whom the gloom
of utter darkness has been reserved forever (Jude 1:5-13). God is coming to
execute His righteous judgment on these who run from the Lord by their ungodly
deeds and harshness. These are grumblers, malcontents, who follow their own
sinful desires. They are loud-mouthed boasters. They show favoritism to gain
advantage (Jude 1:14-16). Jude reminds them again that in the last time there
will come scoffers with ungodly passions, who cause division. They are people
of the world, devoid of the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:17-19). *Application* Here we
see a long list on things to look for as we “contend” for the faith. Some
important things for us to think about in the church: Not everyone is on the up
and up spiritually, they are distinguishable by these very clear attributes delineated
here by Jude in Scripture, we are not to cower, but be strong in the face of
the adversary in the church of the Living God. He will fight for us and execute
His justice when evil is present. It is a war, make no mistake about it. Our
weapons can be put on and the fight is the Lord’s (Ephesians 6:10-20, 2
Chronicles 32:8).
-In contrast, as believers in the
one-true God, Jesus Christ, we must build ourselves up in the most holy faith,
and we must pray IN the Holy Spirit. We must keep ourselves IN the love of God,
and patiently wait for the mercy of our Savior that leads to eternal life. Christian
living includes having mercy ourselves on those who have doubts and fears. We
are to be like firefighters who snatch the victims out of the burning flames in
a spiritual rescue effort hating the very garments stained by the
worldly-fleshly living patterns (Jude 1:20-23). We need to keep looking to Jesus,
who IS ABLE to keep us from stumbling and present us blameless before the
presence of God in His glory with great joy. To God be this glory, majesty,
dominion, and authority from the beginning before all time, to the now (or
present), and going forward into forever (Jude 1:24-25). *Application* Keep the
big picture in mind. There may be a temporary suffering in this world as we
live in Christ, but the end results are worth the price of admission. God’s
greatness extends to all who love Him and are called to be His children in
Spirit and truth. Receive all He has to offer you and reject the temporary and
fleeting pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:24-27).
Verse to Memorize:
Jude 1:3
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