This is another one chapter book written this time by, we see in verse 1, Jude who we are told had a brother called James. In fact, he had a rather more famous half brother, Jesus himself. James, who wrote the book James, and Jude were both brothers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet like his brother, Jude was willing to call himself the servant or “slave” of Jesus Christ. In style, the book is much more like the letters of Peter and we can assume that the two of them were close friends. It is a general letter sent to other Christians and I love the phrase (v1) to those “beloved in God the Father.” That is the place we need to stay.
JESUS CAN KEEP THEM FROM FALLING
Like so many of the apostolic letters, this one starts with “mercy, peace and love” which Jude wants them to have in abundance. We have discussed their use before, but it is worth repeating that these words represent truths that are so foundational to our Christianity. However, it is not the early verses, but one just before the end (v24), that gives away the purpose of this letter which is to point them to Him who is able to keep them from falling.
CONTEND FOR THE FAITH
There was a need to contend for the faith (v3) because, in verse 4, “intruders” had stolen in among them. Firstly, they used Gods grace to excuse, what Jude calls, their “licentiousness”. Perhaps they thought that, with God being so full of grace, they could do what they liked and that would be ok with Him. Previously, we have learnt that if the fruit is not there then there is something seriously wrong with the faith and what is more, they denied our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. In the first part of 2 Peter 2, we read about these people before and Peter called them “false prophets”, denying their Master, and false teachers with destructive opinions (v1). It appears that they liked their Christianity with a sexual flavour, behaving like animals (v12) and revelling away, with eyes full of adultery (v14), insatiable for sin. Jude, like Peter, reminded them how, in Old Testament times, God had to deal with this sort of problem.
HISTORY LESSON
Remember the rebelling Israelites in the desert (v5) who had to be dealt with; also the angels at the time of Noah (v6) who had sex with human beings and had to be locked away in a spiritual prison. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah (v7), which were infamous for sexual immorality and unnatural lust until they were destroyed by fire. Lot’s wife succumbed to a basic human attraction to this kind of life; she looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. You may say this could never happen to us, we will never be influenced the wrong way; but how many of our churches have suffered as the result of sexual sin among the leaders and congregation?
The false leaders of Jude’s day were willing to reject good leaders and slander angelic beings (v8); yet even the archangel Michael, the warrior among angels, did not even dare to slander the devil, a fallen angel, but preferred to leave the Lord to rebuke him (v9). Interestingly, that heavenly battle between Michael and the devil cannot be found elsewhere in the Bible.
These leaders also go the way of Cain (v11). What do you think that means? Are hate and murder in their hearts, as Cain was towards his brother? or perhaps, like Cain, they never admitted their deeds were wrong or knew their need for repentance?
And what was Balaam’s error, also in verse 11? Balaam compromised himself for the sake of money. Remember he took money from Barak to curse Israel but God would not allow him. Instead, Balaam ended up blessing them instead.
And Korah’s rebellion , again v11, when a group of Israelites stood against Moses and Aaron’s God-given authority and suffered terrible consequences as a result. Leaders like this are always without depth, like clouds without water, trees without fruit etc and they often come up against the good leaders.
Jude then turns to a prophesy given by Enoch (v14), which again cannot be found in the Old Testament, but reminds us that the Lord, one day, will expose these things and deal with them on His judgement day. Interesting to notice some other give-away characteristics of these people (v16) for they were “grumblers” and “malcontents” who indulged their own lusts and used “bombastic speech” to flatter people to their own advantage.” They had a way with words, usually nasty, but they could sound pleasant if flattery was useful to them. Jude tells us how the apostles had already predicted this type of scoffer, indulging their own ungodly lusts (v17 -see 2 Peter 3v3). They were also worldly people, devoid of the Spirit who caused divisions (v19).
Jude then moves on to what we should be, rather than what we shouldn’t be. So how should we live?
BUILD YOURSELVES UP IN THE FAITH (v20-21)
Pray in the Holy Spirit
Keep yourselves in the love of God
Look forward to eternal life
HAVE MERCY ON SOME WHO ARE WAVERING
“Save others by snatching them out of the fire” and I think this probably refers to those caught up with these false leaders. It was James who, in chapter 5 of his book, encouraged us to bring back sinners who wander from the truth (v19, 20).
Finally, the letter ends with that wonderful blessing from v24 to the end of the letter and which is often prayed at the end of church services. Bearing in mind how easily we can fall away, we have a Saviour who is able to keep us from falling and make us stand in the presence of God; standing without blemish and in great joy. And what a statement about God the Father at the end, “to the only God…. be glory, majesty, power and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen”.
No doubt there will be times when other so-called leaders will want to draw us away from the true and best path. This letter will help us to identify them. Don’t say you have not been warned. Contend for and build yourself up in the faith, pray in the Spirit, keep in the love of God and be eternally in his presence.