It was just as beautiful as a copperhead snake and about as trustworthy as well.”
–Kenneth S. Pratt (Legacies of Spring)
“That we should no longer be children tossed to and from and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.”
“That we should no longer be children tossed to and from and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting.”
–Ephesians 4:14(NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” –1 John 5:19 (NKJV)
I can almost see Jude pointing his finger at the men who are trying to pervert the truth and warning them. Not only is this small letter written as a warning to the Church, but Jude also warns those who are intent on harming the truth of God’s Word and destroying the faith of believers.
These individuals thought of themselves as advanced thinkers. They were more enlightened in regard to the truth. They thought of themselves as the spiritual elite and were arrogant in their demeanor. Jude issues warnings against them, and warns the Church.
The first example Jude brings are those who brought the false report out of Egypt. I say false report, not that the facts they presented were false, but in their lack of faith and the facts presented about God were false. He was/is the God who delivers. He was/is the God who provides the way. William Barclay says, “It is the proof that even the man with the greatest privilege can meet with disaster before the end, if he falls away from obedience and lapses from faith.” We do not focus on circumstances, but our focus is on the Almighty God. Here they were, on the edge of the Promised Land, and they didn’t have faith enough in God to go into the land. They then were sent into the wilderness wandering until the whole generation died because of their unbelief. Warning!
Jude then points to the fallen angels. They, somehow, became filled with pride and lust. They aimed for an office which was not for them. In other words, they got too big for their angelic britches. It seems that angels may be assigned specific ranks and responsibilities and they were not pleased with the position which they were given. Verse 6, “An angels who did not keep (care for, guard, and hold to) their own first place of power but abandoned their proper dwelling place–these He has reserved in custody in eternal chains (bonds) under the thick gloom of utter darkness until the judgment and doom of the great day.” (Amplified) These beings, refusing their assigned positions, are now in chains. They went from once serving in the realm of light now they are in perpetual darkness. Warning!
The third example Jude uses to warn the false teachers is that of Sodom and Gomorrah. These people practiced perversion and they indulged in it not concerned about the evil that they were doing. In fact, they flaunted it, and made public their wickedness. They had an unnatural desire. This is the same thing that is seen in Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” These people received the punishment of eternal fire. Warning!
These false teachers are sternly warned by Jude and by doing so he also warns those in the Church. Jude continues with his message by saying, “Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.” (vs 8). The King James calls them “filthy dreamers”. They claimed to receive special revelations and they became out of touch with reality. They polluted the flesh, as was alluded to in verse 7. “Those who walk in the flesh rather than the Spirit are actually involved in defiling or polluting their own bodies.” (Paul A. Cedar). In other words, they repudiated Jesus as Lord over their lives. Warning!
Watch then, do not be deceived. Do not listen to those who proclaim a “new word.” Stand firm in the faith guarding the truth and do not compromise that truth or become complacent in it. Do not become curious about the profane things in the world. Stay pure and holy and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit not false teachers.
———————————
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” –1 John 5:19 (NKJV)
I can almost see Jude pointing his finger at the men who are trying to pervert the truth and warning them. Not only is this small letter written as a warning to the Church, but Jude also warns those who are intent on harming the truth of God’s Word and destroying the faith of believers.
These individuals thought of themselves as advanced thinkers. They were more enlightened in regard to the truth. They thought of themselves as the spiritual elite and were arrogant in their demeanor. Jude issues warnings against them, and warns the Church.
The first example Jude brings are those who brought the false report out of Egypt. I say false report, not that the facts they presented were false, but in their lack of faith and the facts presented about God were false. He was/is the God who delivers. He was/is the God who provides the way. William Barclay says, “It is the proof that even the man with the greatest privilege can meet with disaster before the end, if he falls away from obedience and lapses from faith.” We do not focus on circumstances, but our focus is on the Almighty God. Here they were, on the edge of the Promised Land, and they didn’t have faith enough in God to go into the land. They then were sent into the wilderness wandering until the whole generation died because of their unbelief. Warning!
Jude then points to the fallen angels. They, somehow, became filled with pride and lust. They aimed for an office which was not for them. In other words, they got too big for their angelic britches. It seems that angels may be assigned specific ranks and responsibilities and they were not pleased with the position which they were given. Verse 6, “An angels who did not keep (care for, guard, and hold to) their own first place of power but abandoned their proper dwelling place–these He has reserved in custody in eternal chains (bonds) under the thick gloom of utter darkness until the judgment and doom of the great day.” (Amplified) These beings, refusing their assigned positions, are now in chains. They went from once serving in the realm of light now they are in perpetual darkness. Warning!
The third example Jude uses to warn the false teachers is that of Sodom and Gomorrah. These people practiced perversion and they indulged in it not concerned about the evil that they were doing. In fact, they flaunted it, and made public their wickedness. They had an unnatural desire. This is the same thing that is seen in Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” These people received the punishment of eternal fire. Warning!
These false teachers are sternly warned by Jude and by doing so he also warns those in the Church. Jude continues with his message by saying, “Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries.” (vs 8). The King James calls them “filthy dreamers”. They claimed to receive special revelations and they became out of touch with reality. They polluted the flesh, as was alluded to in verse 7. “Those who walk in the flesh rather than the Spirit are actually involved in defiling or polluting their own bodies.” (Paul A. Cedar). In other words, they repudiated Jesus as Lord over their lives. Warning!
Watch then, do not be deceived. Do not listen to those who proclaim a “new word.” Stand firm in the faith guarding the truth and do not compromise that truth or become complacent in it. Do not become curious about the profane things in the world. Stay pure and holy and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit not false teachers.