Just the Way “I AM!” (Jude 10)

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

               

THE STUDY:

Unlike Michael, these people blaspheme all that they do not understand. Verses 9–10 are closely connected to the last phrase of v 8, where the intruders are accused of “slandering celestial beings.” In each verse Jude uses a derivative of blasphēmia (blaspheme, slander, insult).

In v 8 the opponents are accused of “slandering” (blasphēmousin) angels. In v 9 they are contrasted with Michael who refused to bring “a slanderous accusation” (blasphēmias) against the devil. And in v 10 Jude asserts that they speak abusively against (blasphēmousin) whatever they do not understand. These “dreamers” claim prophetic insight and wisdom. But their behavior demonstrates complete ignorance of spiritual matters in general, and in particular the role of angels in the divine scheme of things.

Instead of following God’s reasonable moral laws, they behave on a level of instinct, like unreasoning animals. They have no moral sense of right or wrong. The intruders are said to act like ‘animals without reason’ (aloga zōa) because they allow themselves to be led by instinct or nature (physikōs) alone.^[1]

         

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning understanding that as followers of Christ, the insights and wisdom that will lead us should be found in the scripture and not necessarily from dreams or dreamers.  

• We will find God communicating with us in four ways: Devotions, Meditation, Prayer, and life circumstances. One thing is for sure, one will not contradict the other. All four will line up with the others!

CONCLUSION:

Have you ever heard someone (a believer) use this phrase, “That’s just the way I am!” I find that 90% of the time when this phrase is used it is to justify their behavior, which is usually not nice or even sinful! From the point of my salvation I have found this phrase unsettling. It has always been my view that once Christ came into my heart He is “just the way I should be.”

The natural instincts (eating, drinking, sexual) we have as humans are not sinful. It is how we react to these instincts that may cause us to sin. With that said, let today be a day that we remember it is not “just the way I am” but just the way “I AM!”               

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 (278). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

They All Will Agree (I John 5:7-8)

For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.

THE STUDY:

          This is a very interesting passage of scripture. Some scholars have tried to link it with the Trinitarian aspect of God. Some translators have even added certain wording to bring this point out. But when we research the earliest manuscripts we find no such thing.

The language of three may hint at a Trinitarian tendency in John’s thinking. But, more likely, it was John’s expression of the Hebraic standard of “two or three witnesses” (Deut 19:15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established). John reports that three witnesses of the gospel story—the Spirit, the water and the blood—are in agreement. He stresses the agreement of their common testimony because they have come from the witness of “the Spirit [who] is the truth” (v 6).^[1]

What it means here for the Spirit to testify seems reasonably clear. The Spirit confirms to believers the truth of the message about Jesus that they heard from the beginning (cf. 2:24–27). It is more difficult to say how the water and the blood make up the second and third witnesses. Normally witness is given by one person concerning another. However, in the Fourth Gospel, when people will not accept Jesus’ own testimony about himself, he points them to his works, for these, too, bear witness, albeit silent witness, to the truth about him.^[2]

                   

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that validation to the truth of Christ is found in the Spirit that dwells inside of us.

CONCLUSION:

           I have stated many times, when sharing with people, about hearing and confirming what you hear from Christ. God communicates in 4 different ways: Devotions, reading scripture, meditating, and life circumstances. All 4 will agree with the others. One will not contradict the other.

          My prayer for you today is that you be affirmed in your spirit that the message of Jesus Christ is the truth. That you hear from God this morning in one of the 4 different ways and that through that message you are assured of the love God has for you.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3 John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (163). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Kruse, C. G. (2000). The letters of John. The Pillar New Testament commentary (179). Grand Rapids, Mich.; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.