Human Desires: Good or Bad? (Jude 8)

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

               

THE STUDY:

          Yet in like manner (homoiōs mentoi) indicates that the three examples of punishment listed in vv 5–7 can be directly applied to the intruders who have disrupted the Christian community. Jude focuses first upon their sin. “Yet in like manner” means these men commit, not the same sins, but the same kinds of sins as the disobedient Israelites, the fallen angels, and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

          Jude repeatedly uses the demonstrative pronoun houtoi, these people, to refer to his opponents (vv 10, 12, 16, 19), the intruders who “crept in unnoticed” among the believers (v 4). Dreamers in the OT identifies the deluded dreams of false prophets. Jude may be referencing the visions by which these men may have sought to justify their teachings and actions.

Dreaming relates to the action of the three following verbs. Thus, it is on the basis of their delusional dreaming that they defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. Jude compares the sinful behavior of his three negative examples (vv 5–7) with the behavior of these dreamers.

The next few days we will look at each one individually. First, like the fallen angels and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, the intruders defile the flesh with sexual impurity.^[1] This is a subject that can cause much debate. I will not engage this debate but will conclude with the understanding that the creation of sex is to be within the limitations of marriage between one man and one woman. Anything outside of this can be considered “sexual impurity.”  

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with the understanding that when it comes to sex, “anything goes,” is not the case. As a matter of fact, this theology can cause us to lose out on our eternal existence in heaven.

CONCLUSION:

          I know this subject can go off in many directions, what I believe God wants us to glean from this devotional today is the awareness of the outcome of sexual sin. We all have a sexual desire that is given to us by God. This desire is not sinful. It is how we react to that desire that may be sinful. Knowing the truth of God’s word can guide us through those times and help us see what is of God and what is not!

          I tell people all the time, “Intimacy with your spouse is wonderful whereas, outside of the realm of marriage, it is sin!” By embracing the totality of scripture we can come to understand the human desires and be able to determine which is sin and which is good.

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

Eternal Fire! (Jude 7)

just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

               

THE STUDY:

          Jude continues on with another example for his reader. Jude has reminded the people of the Exodus from Egypt and the result for the unbelievers. He has also reminded them of the fallen angles and what fate awaits them. The example of Sodom and Gomorrah is undoubtedly the most famous story of divine judgment in the Bible (see Luke 17:28–29; 2 Pet 2:6–8). The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah included the surrounding cities (see Deut 29:23), thus underscoring the contaminating threat of immorality.

          God punished these cities because they gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. The phrase just as (hōs) connects the sin of the fallen angels with the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. Some argue that sexual immorality and perversion points specifically to homosexual intercourse. But the phrase could refer to unnatural sexual relations between angels and humans. We will not be debating these two views but I felt we needed to be aware of the debate.

          Sodom and Gomorrah serve as an example of those by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. These cities are set before the eyes of the world as a sample of divine retribution. The Gospels frequently use eternal fire to describe the torments of hell reserved for the punishment of the wicked.

Jude specifically identifies Sodom and Gomorrah as the example of God’s punishment. But each of the examples in vv 5–7 could represent the kind of punishment those who rebel against God can expect. Ungodly and rebellious behavior will not go unpunished.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with the understanding of the degree of punishment that awaits the ungodly and those who rebel against God. That punishment is “Eternal Fire!” What does that specifically look like? We are not given all the specifics but we can rest assure, this punishment is unlike anything we have ever experienced on earth: Jail, prison, beatings, etc. But most certain is the fact that God’s presence will not be!

CONCLUSION:

          I remember as a child that if I did something against my mom’s wishes there was a negative consequence. This punishment could range from being sent home to groundings, to the ultimate: whippin’s (WV slang)! Each infraction had a degree that was attached to it. The thing we need to understand, when it comes to God, is that each sin has the same value to God. From telling a lie to murder, the same punishment results: eternal fire.

          This morning may be a little heavy for some but the truth of the matter is Sin has consequences. My prayer for each of us is that we hear what Jude is sharing and look at it positively. Let us want to be like those who followed God out of Egypt, or those Angles who did not fall. Better yet, let us be like those in Sodom and Gomorrah who stayed true to the teachings of God and was spared the punishment of God. Make Matthew 6:33 your life verse, But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

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 (274–275). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Keeper of All! (Jude 6)

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—

               

THE STUDY:

           Jude continues on with the second example of how the people were familiar with the scripture. Jude refers to the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling. One early interpretation of this story appears in the apocryphal 1 En. 6–16. There “some angels plot and rebel against God and his good angels, and descend to earth where they introduce all kinds of sinful behavior among humans.” Since Jude clearly quotes from 1 Enoch in vv 14–15, it seems probable that he has 1 Enoch in mind here as well.

          The angels possessed positions of authority (archēn: rule)—“a position of heavenly power or sphere of dominion, which the angels exercised over the world in the service of God.” Despite their former status, the angels turned away and left their proper dwelling by rebelling against God.

          Jude’s description of the evil angels contains an unmistakable touch of irony. Although these angels did not keep (tērēsantas) - stay within - their positions of authority, but disobeyed and abandoned their rightful home, God has kept (tetērēken) them chained in darkness awaiting final destruction. “Here we find a negative counterpart to the situation of the righteous, whom God ‘keeps’ (v 2) and who are therefore to ‘keep’ themselves in God’s love.” Even though the intruders masquerade as true believers, they, like the evil angels, will ultimately receive the punishment they deserve.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that God is the “KEEPER OF ALL!” Later, Jude will urge his readers to “keep yourselves in God’s love” (v 21). There are two sides to Christian perseverance. Through Christ, God faithfully keeps his followers. But it was the followers’ task to keep themselves in the love of God. Believers face many challenges and trials as they follow Christ. Jude reminds them of God’s promise to watch over them at every moment, protecting them in and through Jesus Christ.^[2]

CONCLUSION:

           We live in a world that appears to be out of control. Evil seems to be ruling all around us. What we have to have faith in is the fact that our God is in control. What appears to be chaos will soon become victory. God is the keeper of all and will reward the righteous while at the same time punish the unrighteous.

          Let today be a day we see God’s sustaining grace and trust that through Christ evil will get its just reward. Let God be the KEEPER of you today!

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

^[2] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (261). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Growing in the Lord! (Jude 5)

(No Video for this Blog)

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.

Pushing the Limits! (Jude 4 Part 3)

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

               

THE STUDY:

           Yesterday we looked at the first two descriptions of these “certain people” Jude spoke about at the begging of verse 4. Today we are going to look at the remaining two descriptions:

Third, Jude describes these undefined people as godless men who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality. Grace describes God’s free gift through Jesus Christ as the forgiveness and liberation of believers from the power of sin and the condemnation of the Law. Claiming liberty in Christ, they interpreted His grace as license to do what their flesh desired with no inhibitions. Their libertinism turned grace into cruel recklessness. These “certain people” declared that since the flesh was not created by God, it was proper to give in to its desires.^[1]

Fourth, Jude depicts certain people as those who deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. They may have denied certain doctrinal teachings about Christ. But the reference to Jesus as our only Sovereign and Lord calls attention to Jesus’ right to demand obedience from his followers. Jude probably referred to the teachers’ ethical denial of the moral teachings of Christ, implicit in their shameful behavior.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with the understanding that these certain people pushed the limits of sexuality by distorting God’s grace to the point of unrestricted consequences. Not surprisingly, this perversion in practice was accompanied by a perversion in doctrine—a denial of the person and authority of Jesus Christ.

CONCLUSION:

           I have preached, many times, the understanding of “Pushing the Limits!” We should allow the Holy Spirit to set boundaries for our lives. An example of this would be if someone is a recovering alcoholic. One of their boundaries should be to stay away from bars! What tends to happen though is we allow our boundaries to be pushed to the limit. By doing this it allows a person to easily push through that boundary and find themselves in a position that is outside of God’s will.

          By trying to justify or even deny these actions we can find ourselves in situations that we never thought possible. Today don’t push the boundaries! Stay a safe distance from those limits so that those who come after us may find us faithful.  

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Jud 3). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[2] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (268–269). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

No Surprise to God! (Jude 4 Part 2)

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

               

THE STUDY:

          These false teachers slipped into the church and hid their true nature and purpose. These certain people are the “wolves in sheep’s clothing” Jesus had warned his disciples about (Matt 7:15). Jude provides a vivid fourfold description of them:

First, the judgment that was written about long ago includes citations from the OT (vv 5–8, 11), Jewish traditions (vv 9, 14–16), and the teaching of the apostles (vv 17–18). The condemnation of the intruders was long established in these various writings.

          Second, Jude describes his opponents as ungodly people (asebeis). Asebeia describes “complete contempt for God and His will.” The word is broad enough to embrace a wide array of sins. For Jude, ungodly best described these lawless and immoral intruders.^[1]

         

          Tomorrow we will look at the last two descriptions of these certain people!

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away with the understanding that as believers we should not be surprised when it comes to people who demonstrate the same characteristics as these “CERTAIN PEOPLE!” It was no surprise to God! He not only knew this would happen he acknowledged the results of this ungodliness.

CONCLUSION:

           A survey taken of 521 clergy and laymen attending the National Council of Churches’ General Assembly in Miami Beach showed a movement away from traditional belief, as follows:

Little more than half believed Jesus to be divine.

Only one-fourth thought biblical miracles literally happened.

One-third declared the devil “definitely does not exist.”

Only sixty-two percent looked forward with “complete certainty” to a life after death.

          Church, let today be another day were we stand for the biblical principles and teachings of Jesus Christ and not fall to the lies of the evil one. Let us have a desire that respects God and His will and let us be careful of those who don’t. They are in the church as II Peter 2:1 states, But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them.

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