Growing in the Lord! (Jude 5)

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Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

               

THE STUDY:

           Jude reminds his well-informed readers what the Scriptures say about ungodly intruders. This “disclosure formula” functions as a transition to the body of the letter. Jude is not providing new information. Rather, he reminds his readers of all they once fully knew.

          His first reminder is that of the exodus. The exodus was the defining moment of Israel’s birth and existence. For Jews, the exodus was the preeminent example of God’s grace and saving intervention. God delivered (sōsas: saved) Israel from slavery in the land of Egypt. The Lord afterward destroyed those who did not believe. The word “afterward” (to deuteron: the second time) is probably intended to distinguish between God’s first saving intervention at the exodus and his subsequent act judging their disbelief. Those “the Lord had saved were not thereby immune from subsequent judgment.” The same holy God, who had graciously rescued them, later destroyed the disobedient.

Judes message is clear: God’s forgiveness/salvation does not mean he will not punish the forgiven/saved if they fall away through unbelief. His example suggests that the opponents were once orthodox Christians who turned away from their faith. This warning applies most obviously to the Christian intruders, but it has relevance for Judes readers also.”^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning understanding that our salvation experience is not a “locked in,” all “exempt,” “no consequence” for future sin, pass that somehow God overlooks because we, at one point in our life, accepted Christ. Salvation is the starting point to a wonderful walk with God that needs to continue. Growing in the Lord is one of the attributes of salvation.

CONCLUSION:

           I know there are many who may be reading or watching this devotional blog who have a different belief when it comes to salvation. Some may believe you have to be Baptized. Others may believe “once saved always saved.” In the Nazarene Church we believe you can walk away from God and his loving grace. But we also believe you can come back to this love, mercy and grace that is extended from the hand of God.

          Whatever your belief is, we need to understand this: there are consequences for our actions. Let today be a day focused on growing and maturing in our walk with Jesus. Let the consequences fall as they may.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (272–273). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.