Jude, Contend For The Faith
Jude, Contend For The Faith
This study examines the Book of Jude. Jude is one of the shorter books of the New Testament.
Take a few moments to ponder the following:
- When reading the book of Jude, do you read it as a letter from Jude explaining the condition of the 1st Century?
- Or, do you read it as a current events article in the daily newspaper?
- How do you think most approach the book of Jude?
Unfortunately, most read the book of Jude as a history lesson; therein lies the problem with modern day Christianity. The Bible should never be read as a history book. Or a book filled with fun facts and figures. Or even in the third person.
The Bible should be read as current events that are applicable to believers today. As if you are part of the action and discussion. If the Bible is read any other way, then it is time to check your faith and what is really important to you. If this is you then, it may explain why you are short on spiritual current events in your life.
As you examine the Book of Jude, view it as the events of the present day Body of Believers. Events that affect you personally. Events that we should be taking serious. So serious that, we must take immediate action to rectify. Then again, that is how we should be reading the entire Bible.
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Sections:
| Slave of God | The Faith | Wolves |
| Those That Crept In | Eternal Fire | Speaking Evil |
| Natural Men | No Rest | Not of Us |
| Build Yourself Up | In the Love of God | Of Some |
| Faultless & Blameless |
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Slave of God
Slave of God
Jude 1
1 Jude, the servant of Yeshua Messiah, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Yeshua Messiah, and called.
The translator uses the word servant here; however, it does not do justice to what Jude is telling us. Servant comes from the Greek word δοῦλος doulos (G1401). It refers to one that is a slave, bondman, man of servile condition. One that is devoted to another to the disregard of their own interests.
This may describe Jude and many of the apostles of the First Century, but does is describe many of those in the ministry today? Does it even describe us? Have we willingly and totally surrendered our will for His? If not, we should expect something less than His best.
Jude writes to those that are sanctified by God and preserved by Yeshua. Those that are called. Jude is specifically referring to those of us that are saved. Not that we are going to be saved, we are currently, presently and forever saved. As in 1 Peter 1:5.
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Our salvation is not of our power. It is preserved and kept by the power of God. This is why it is of grace.
Jude 2
2 Mercy to you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
This seems like a simple greeting. However, we have to ask ourselves, is this Jude’s personal wish for us or is it God’s word for us? Mercy, Peace, Love multiplied to us is a nice thing to say. However, it is more than just words. It is what God would have in our lives.
Peter declares in 2 Peter 1:5-8.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Yeshua Messiah.
When we read what Peter tells us to add to ourselves, we have to understand the prerequisites. We cannot fully add these to ourselves until the first 3 are multiplied in our lives, mercy, peace and love. If we do not experience God’s Mercy personally in our lives, we will not be able to show mercy to others. If we do not have the Peace of God in our lives, we will not be able to minister the Peace of God to others. If we do not walk in the Love of God, we will not be able to minister the Love of God to others. We need mercy, peace and love to be effective in our growth and ministry to others.
Jude wants God to multiply to us. We have to be in the place where this can happen. So that we can add all these other things into our lives. Until we have this, we cannot hope to add these other qualities of 2 Peter.
We have to remember that this will not just happen just because we are believers. That is why Paul declares in Philippians 2:12-13.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
When Paul states work out your own salvation, it is referring to those things that Peter stated. We should add to ourselves. But to do that, we must understand that God is trying to work in us Jude 2.
2 Mercy to you and peace and love be multiplied.
The Faith
The Faith
Jude 3
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
When Jude writes concerning the faith, Jude is not referring to the saving faith of Romans 5:1.
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Yeshua Messiah.
The faith of Romans 5:1 is the faith that saves us. Nor is Jude referring to the gift of faith in 1 Corinthians 12:9.
9 To another faith by the same Spirit;
The faith that Jude is concerned with is a component of 1 Corinthians 13:2.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
All faith in 1 Corinthians 13:2 is the total faith. When these verses are studied in context, it is apparent that there are 3 different aspects of faith. There is the saving faith, the gift of faith and in Jude 3 is the faith delivered to the saints.
What Jude is referring to is the entire truth of the Bible. It is our basic faith, Jude 3.
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
Jude uses some very specific phrases in Jude 3: all diligence, needful for me, exhort you, earnestly contend for the faith, once delivered. From these statements, it ought to be clear that Jude is serious about what he is stating. This is an urgent matter. We need to act upon this immediately. The reason being, it was a serious threat in the First Century. And regardless of what many may believe today, we are even more threatened, because the threat of the First Century has taken hold in many places today. It is not just a threat any more, it is a reality.
In the subsequent verses, Jude will discuss that there are those that not only deny the faith, they would pervert the faith. There are also those that have nothing in their lives to contribute, but only serve to confound the truth. The issue is more real today than in the First Century. Except today many believers are asleep in the pews and have accepted things not of the Faith without realizing it.
Jude is writing of current events in our day and we have let them happen.
Wolves
Wolves
Jude 4
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation (krima), ungodly men, turning the grace (charis) of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Yeshua Messiah.
Paul warned us of this very thing in his last address to the elders of Ephesus. We all need to consider Paul’s last words to the elders just prior to his arrest in Jerusalem, Acts 20:20.
20 How I kept back nothing that was profitable, but have showed you and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
Paul had taught them publicly, he had not kept anything from them, Acts 20:27.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God.
Paul declared the whole counsel of God to them. Today, we need the whole counsel of God if we are to benefit from Jude’s message to us, Acts 20:28-31.
28 Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the assembly of God, which He has purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Paul warns the elders, just as he is warning us today. Paul speaks of a falling away that will occur after his departure. Do not be fooled into thinking that Paul is referring to events that will happen 2000 years in the future from Paul’s time. Carefully examine Paul’s words.
- Acts 20:29, enter in among you.
- Acts 20:30, also of your own selves.
- Acts 20:31, Therefore watch and remember.
These phrases have specific application to the Elders of Ephesus. This is not a prophesy for just prior to the Second Coming, this was a prophesy for present day and into the future. This will occur in the elder’s lifetime and will continue for almost 2000 years. So many speak of a future falling away; however, Paul is clearly describing a falling away that is in the process of occurring.
If it occurred then, what we have today is a product of a fallen culture from 2000 years ago. This is because the early congregations were eventually overrun. Just as Jude states in Jude 4.
4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation (krima), ungodly men, turning the grace (charis) of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Yeshua Messiah.
These men that crept in unawares, note: were before of old ordained to condemnation. It does not take much imagination as to who sent these in among the early believers.
Remember Jude 3, Jude stated once delivered.
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.
The truth of the Bible was delivered once. These that came in perverted the truth and we have been trying to recover ever since. We need to go back to the Bible, the unadulterated word. Why do you think Yeshua stated in Matthew 11:12?
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
We need to get engaged. We need to earnestly contend for the faith.
Those That Crept In
Those That Crept In
Jude 5
5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Jude wants us to remember past events, because they are occurring once again. These people are not well meaning believers. Jude juxtapose them with others who led so many astray, Numbers 11:4.
4 And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting. And the Children of Israel also wept again and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
The Angel of Lord went through the camp and destroyed them. We cannot allow those who are of another mind to unduly influence us from the faith once delivered. It was not just in Israel long ago, Yeshua speaks to this in John 6:70-71.
70 Yeshua answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon; for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
Not that one of the twelve will become a devil, it is that one of them is a devil. There are times when there are devils in our midst, tares. Those who act as if they are one of us; however, ultimately they are of another mind. Any mind not of Messiah, that would take us from His ways, should not be allowed a voice in the congregation. These always seem to have their own agenda. An agenda that will ultimately take us on a path away from God. Believers have got to know the way that God would have us walk in. David declares in Psalm 25:12.
12 What man is he that fears Yehovah? Him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
We must fear and reverence Yehovah, first and fore most. Unfortunately, many today choose too much of man. They end up finding themselves in a dry desert.
Jude 6
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment (krisis) of the great day.
These angels like us have a free will and choose the things not of God. Peter tells us in 2 Peter 2:4.
4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell (tartaros), and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved to judgment (krisis);
Both Jude and Peter are telling us that these angels are in chains, reserved for judgment. Further, Peter tells us that these are in hell. The interesting thing here is that hell is from the Greek word Tartaros (G5020). It refers to the deepest abyss of hades.
Is Peter telling us that these angels are in a different place than believers? Unfortunately, there is just not enough information for us to determine. For issues similar to this, we should look to Deuteronomy 29:29.
29 The secret things belong to Yehovah our Redeemer, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this Torah.
There are just some things in this lifetime that we will not know the answer to. We need to be satisfied with not knowing nor going beyond what is written.
But know this, these went in a way away from God. This is never the example we should follow. It is an example we should guard against.
Eternal Fire
Eternal Fire
Jude 7
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.
It is important to understand what is “eternal fire” in relation to what happened to Sodom and Gomorrha. Is it hell fire? That would cause a contradiction in scriptures, because Ezekiel 16:53-61 discuss the future salvation of Sodom. In the context of the Restitution of All Things, God declares in Ezekiel 16:53.
53 When I shall bring again their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, and the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, then will I bring again the captivity of your captives in the midst of them.
God intends to bring Sodom back before He brings back Israel. So Eternal Fire cannot be referring to hell fire. So what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah? Sodom and Gomorrah suffered fire, but not fire sent by men. It is called eternal, because it was God’s fire that came down and destroyed them. Even though the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Individuals through the Restitution of All Things will have an opportunity in the future.
Jude uses the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of what happens to those that interfere in the purposes of God. God will act on these, there are severe consequences in this lifetime.
Speaking Evil
Speaking Evil
All the examples previously discussed were of ungodly men of the past, Jude brings it to the present in Jude 8.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
This is referring to the characteristics of ungodly man of Jude’s time. It also refers to those of our time. This brings two passages to mind, Ephesian 5:3-4.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks.
We are not to speak as these do. Our words should be that of purity and uplifting. If not, just let it go and say nothing.
Romans 13:1-4
1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same. 4 For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain. For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.
These passages tell us to honor the higher powers. This is because the higher powers are given of God to rule and cause us to live in peace and harmony in the congregations. Yet many believers are resistant to the authority of the assemblies. They freely speak against them causing strife and disunity in the congregations, Romans 13:3.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same.
If one is walking with God, then regardless of the leader in the assembly God is watching out for us. The problem most believers have is that they are not walking with God properly. As such, it makes them subject to the whims of the world. These cause difficulties in the congregation.
Yet, those in Jude 8.
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
It is one thing to be a leader outside a congregation, it is totally different in a congregation. These should not have a voice in the congregation of much effect. Not only do they live in fornication, they have no understanding of spiritual dominion in the local congregation. Just as Diotrephes, who John speaks of in 3 John 9.
9 I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, receives us not.
Similar to Diotrephes, Jude is referring to those who willingly cast out the Apostles. These speak evil of dignities over us in the spirit. It is further explained to us who these people are and what they have done.
Jude 9
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil (diabolos) He disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke you.
What is interesting about Jude 9 is that it references an event that is not found in scriptures. Nor is the book that documents the event in existence today. All that has survived is a quote. Therefore, one cannot assume that the entire book is authentic. Only what is in scriptures.
What we do have has become a doctrine that we can learn from. Jude has given us an example that Michael the Archangel, himself, would not bring a rebuke against Satan. He stated that God should rebuke Satan. This should cause us to wonder about those that would often cry out, I rebuke Satan. Are we supposedly more righteous than the archangel? Doubtful. This is an admonition to believers not to freely rebuke others. It should be the Lord who rebukes. Sometimes, we take too much upon ourselves. We should live by Romans 12:19.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but give place to wrath. For it is written, Vengeance mine; I will repay, says the Lord.
We must intreat the God in difficult times as to what we should do, Leviticus 19:18.
18 You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I Yehovah.
Love and peace should always be our first choice. We should always find a reason to love others. We should always find a way to reconcile with others, even when we have been wronged. Life is not about getting even or ahead. Life is about serving God in righteousness and being the light that shines forth in love, so that others would be attracted to His righteous ways. When this happens, more good can come from love than by satisfying our own childish emotions.
Finally be patient in all things, Deuteronomy 32:35
35 To me vengeance, and recompence, their foot shall slide in time. For the day of their calamity at hand and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
Natural Men
Natural Men
Jude 10
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.
These who claim to know so much about God, Jude tells us that they know nothing. As for these people their knowledge is based on the frivolous things they hear. From this, books are being published. And because it is not the unadulterated word of God they corrupt themselves.
The words we speak should be based on knowing the Word of God. It should be written and spoken of God in harmony. It should come from rightly dividing the word through His spirit.
Jude tells us that these who speak evil do not know the Word of God. What they know is natural. This means natural of the earth and man. Naturally not spiritually, these speak as brute beast. In those things they corrupt themselves, they are animalistic in so many ways. One does not find God in natural knowledge or means.
Jude 11
11 Woe to 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 Korah.
Cain went his own way. He grew vegetables in the ground. He did not ask his brother to trade for a sacrifice. Cain just offered up any old thing that he wanted. This is what these people do. Unfortunately, there are many like this. They do what pleases them, rather than what God wants them to do. They have no rules of God, no conforming to God’s ways. This is a serious problem in the Churches of today. To go the way of Cain puts us in a land far from God. In a land the prodigal son found himself, far from the home he knew.
These people are like Balaam. They run greedily after their error. They do it for a reward of men. This is not just referring to money, it includes the praises of men.
Those like Korah will perish in their gainsaying, boastful words. Words like a wind with no substance. Paul speaks of these in 1 Timothy 6:3-5.
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Yeshua Messiah and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strife of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, 5 Perverse disputing of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness, from such withdraw yourself.
The very thing Paul is describing exists in the Churches today. There are many that teach the positive confession doctrine, that one can confess riches. This is not a doctrine from God nor is it what God would have us do. Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:6.
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.
We ought to be content with those things we have. If not, we should evaluate what really is important to us.
God wants us to be like 2 Timothy 2:15.
15 Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
And 2 Timothy 2:2.
2 And the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit you to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
We ought to be faithful men and women to the word of God.
No Rest
No Rest
Jude 12
12 These are spots in your love (agape), when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear. Clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withered, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
For every example that Jude has provided, they are spots in our expressions of love. They are not people feasting with us out of the love of God. Rather, they are spots in our love that led to darkness and often feasting on us. They are clouds without water. No water meaning no Spirit of God. They have no fear of God, because God is not in them.
They are carried about by the wind. They are similar to those in Ephesian 4:14.
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
If you listen to them, you will be running to and fro with little benefit. You will have no rest. Then you will wonder why nothing is working for you.
Trees whose fruit withers or just without fruit, their end is twice dead. All that are born once will die twice, those that are born twice will die once. We are all born once naturally. However, if we are not born again of the Spirit; we will experience second death in the Lake of Fire.
Jude 13
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
The sea is the same as the waters of Revelation 17:15.
15 And he said to me, The waters which you saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
In Jude 13, the sea raging represents the turmoil of people’s lives. There is no rest in these seas. In the end, these will be as if they never existed, because darkness is reserved for these for ever more.
This is not the path one wants to be on. There is no rest, there is no peace. There are many who have been fooled and find no rest, because of a lack of sanctification.
Not of Us
Not of Us
Jude 14-15
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 To execute judgment (krisis) 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.
We do not have the prophesy of Enoch, but we do have this word. Since it is quoted by Jude, we can consider it a true prophetic word. This is a glimpse of the Restitution of All Things. When God will return to judge the nations. As Yeshua describes in Matthew 25, the parable of the sheep and goats. For some, it will be an awakening to life, for others it will be a day of darkness.
Jude 16
16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaks great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
How often do we exalt a church leader’s or elder’s credentials or testimony. Why is there such an interest in a person’s testimony? Should not we not be more interested in the testimony of Yeshua? Revelation 19:10
10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, See you do it not. I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Yeshua. Worship God. For the testimony of Yeshua is the spirit of prophecy.
His testimony is the spirit of prophecy and it should be a vibrant testimony of Him.
Jude 17-19
17 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the Apostles of our Lord Yeshua Messiah. 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.
Here is the issue and it should not come as a surprise. Many are called by His name, but are they? They may say they are of God, yet they deny the word. They are mockers that do not have the Spirit of God.
1 John 2:19
19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
We need to be absolutely sure of those we worship with. We must learn how to protect ourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:11-13
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you. 13 And to esteem them very highly in love (agape) for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
We need to personally know those who are set over us in the faith. We need to know that their heart is absolutely for Yehovah. If not, then we may have difficulty having peace in the assembly. Without peace, growth is difficult.
Build Yourself Up
Build Yourself Up
After all Jude has told us, we ought to wake up to the reality of today. In today’s world, it is even more dangerous and insidious. The tares are firmly integrated into today’s church system. What we need to know is, how do we protect ourselves? This is what Jude will tell us next, Jude 20.
20 But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
If you do not want to be a cloud without water or affected by one, then one must study to show themselves approved of God. This must be done simultaneously with building themselves up in the Spirit. One must be praying in the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 14:4A.
4A He that speaks in a tongue edifies himself;
Tongues builds us up and edifies us. It is important that we are built up so that we can grow and that we will be able to help others. Through tongues, the believer can ultimately strengthen their brethren.
We need to pray in the Spirit for several reasons. When we do not know what to pray, it makes intercession for us, Romans 8:26-27.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Tongues is a conduit for other manifestations of the Spirit, 1 Corinthians 14:6.
6 Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
Tongues can give us words from God. It builds us up so that we can minister to others.
You may be thinking, I do not speak in tongues what should I do? First, one must believe in the manifestation and believe that it can occur. Then Paul states in 1 Corinthians 14:1.
1 Follow after love, and desire spiritual, but rather that you may prophesy.
Too many have a take it or leave it attitude. For them, if God wants to give it to me He will. It must be a strong desire. We need to pray in the spirit day in and day out.
In the Love of God
In the Love of God
Jude 21
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Yeshua Messiah to eternal life.
It is a mistaken belief that God’s will keeps us in all things. God does keep us eternally. However, we are to keep ourselves in the love God.
Too often believers fail to keep themselves in the love of God, because they do not know who God really is. As such, they do not truly know of His love in a constant and perpetual way. The best way to start to know God is to know His Book, the Bible. It is the one book that reveals God’s Nature. It is where anyone who wants to, can learn of the love of God. If they pursue it with all their heart and soul. If they will, then they will experience an enduring and perpetual love in a real way.
Yet, the Bible is the least read and studied book in Christianity today. Because of this, many believers have a mistaken understanding of God’s love. For some, love is somewhat shallow that just fills their emotions. Love is much more deeper than many of us realize. Love is much more demanding than many are willing to give.
John, who many times is called the Apostle of Love, helps us to understand what is the Love of God, 2 John 6.
6 And this is love, that we walk after His commandments. This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
John tells us that love is when we walk after His commandments. This may explain why so many lack love in their lives. Too many believe that Christianity freed us from the law, Torah. That is not what Yeshua came for, Yeshua came to free us from the penalty of the law, so that we could walk in the Spirit of Torah.
In 2 John 6, note that there is commandments plural and commandment singular. Commandment singular is to walk in love. This is accomplished by walking after His commandments plural. This is the great commandment, to follow His commandments, to do that is love.
Further, John tells us that it is the commandments from the beginning. The ones from Genesis. We all need to open our Bibles at Genesis and start reading. That is how one would know the commandments from the beginning.
We were to walk in obedience from the beginning. Adam was to walk in obedience and everyone that followed was to walk in obedience. Nothing has changed, it is the same Bible.
John also tells us in 1 John 5:3.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not grievous.
The Love of God is quite simply that we keep His commandments. It is not grievous if you are His, because He has put it in your heart. That is the new covenant, Jeremiah 31:33.
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says Yehovah, I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
We delight in them, Torah, because they are His and not some tradition.
Too many today, have lost sight of what are His commandments. They willingly follow the Church’s commandments in the form of a doctrine and have lost sight of Yeshua’s vision. If we lose sight of His commandments, we will never rid ourselves of what so easily besets us in life. We will not have the joy that gets us through the trials and tribulations of life.
Through God’s grace, His power, God will slowly but surely restore our souls, but we have to do our part, Romans 8:4.
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
This is why we need to read the word and purge ourselves of ourselves and the doctrines of men. This is how we get out of spiritual confusion.
Love is that we walk after God’s commandments. The truth is no one has been able to walk in proper obedience until Yeshua came along and showed us the way. That is the example Yeshua left us, 1 John 1:7.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yeshua Messiah His Son cleanses us from all sin.
We are to walk in the light as Yeshua is the light. Yeshua followed Torah in love; therefore, we should too.
Of Some
Of Some
Jude 22
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
Jude is not telling us to have compassion on all. Jude said some. There are many types in the world. The natural man, 1 Corinthians 2:14.
14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him. Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Babies in Messiah, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3:
1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Messiah. 2 I have fed you with milk and not with meat. For at this point you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able. 3 For you are yet carnal. For when in fact there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal and walk as men?
These are two of the three categories of people. The natural man that has not the Spirit of God within them. There is the carnal believer. These are believers that bicker, argue and debate contrary to each other in the congregation. They are believers, but they are carnal believers. Then there are those that are spiritual. They are on a level all by themselves. These are ones that deserve our compassion 1 Corinthians 2:15-16.
15 But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Messiah.
Jude 23
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
These are carnal believers. They literally go from fire to fire, because of their refusal to grow through the Baptism of Fire. It may not be for them today, but it will be in the future, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Yeshua Messiah. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
These are being saved with fear.
Faultless & Blameless
Faultless & Blameless
Jude 24
24 Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
Yet in 2 Peter 3:14, Peter talks about presenting us blameless, this is different from Jude 24.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Blameless and faultless are two different things. There is sin and there are weaknesses. Individuals have many weaknesses, faults. So we know that God is able to present us sinless. However, as for our weaknesses, faults, we have to be careful in our own lives. Our failures are not the fault of God. They are our fault.
It should be noted that Yeshua sent forth the disciples in pairs, Mark 6:7.
7 And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;
Yeshua sent them forth two by two.
James 5:16
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
We all need someone we can confess our sins. It cannot be just anyone, it must be someone you are confident of their trust. Someone who can pray for you, someone to uphold you.
This is why Yeshua sent them forth two by two. If we would do this today, we would find encouragement in each other. Then we would have someone to help keep us. You cannot do this own your own. We all need help.
Jude is an urgent message for us today. We ought to take it very serious and contend for the faith, Jude 25.
25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
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