Most pastors today would much rather preach about the love of God than the wrath of God. However, if you mess with their people, you better watch out! When Jude sat down to write his letter, he had every intention of focusing on the positives so he could encourage the believers to enjoy the rewards of their salvation. Instead he was compelled to write a scathing letter condemning the men who were dividing the church. If you want to make your pastor angry, do something to stir the pot and try to divide the church body.
Jude's anger and frustration is evident in the way he described his opponents. He said their condemnation was certain, and he called them sneaky, godless, immoral, dreamers, slanderous accusers, abusive, ignorant, blemished, self-centered, ungodly sinners, grumblers, fault-finders, evil, braggarts, flatterers, and scoffers. Jude compared the divisive men to Cain, Balaam, and Korah, all men who were judged for their rebellion against God. He said they were like "shepherds who feed only themselves, clouds without rain, trees without fruit and uprooted--twice dead, wild waves, and wandering stars." In a nutshell, Judge considered these divisive men to be good for nothing and headed to hell in a hand basket!
Jude began and ended his short letter with encouraging words for believers. He called them dear friends and told them they were called, loved, and kept by God in Jesus. He wanted them to build up their faith, to contend for their faith, and to pray in the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to keep themselves in God's love and to wait for God's mercy and eternal life. He told them to show mercy to some but to fear those who would divide their fellowship. Jude packed such wisdom in his brief 25 verses. I wish he had kept writing!
What can we learn from Jude? Do not be divisive. (It makes your pastor really angry!) Stand up for your faith. Stay faithful and wait for God's mercy. Jude concluded his writing with this beautiful doxology.
Jude's anger and frustration is evident in the way he described his opponents. He said their condemnation was certain, and he called them sneaky, godless, immoral, dreamers, slanderous accusers, abusive, ignorant, blemished, self-centered, ungodly sinners, grumblers, fault-finders, evil, braggarts, flatterers, and scoffers. Jude compared the divisive men to Cain, Balaam, and Korah, all men who were judged for their rebellion against God. He said they were like "shepherds who feed only themselves, clouds without rain, trees without fruit and uprooted--twice dead, wild waves, and wandering stars." In a nutshell, Judge considered these divisive men to be good for nothing and headed to hell in a hand basket!
Jude began and ended his short letter with encouraging words for believers. He called them dear friends and told them they were called, loved, and kept by God in Jesus. He wanted them to build up their faith, to contend for their faith, and to pray in the Holy Spirit. He wanted them to keep themselves in God's love and to wait for God's mercy and eternal life. He told them to show mercy to some but to fear those who would divide their fellowship. Jude packed such wisdom in his brief 25 verses. I wish he had kept writing!
What can we learn from Jude? Do not be divisive. (It makes your pastor really angry!) Stand up for your faith. Stay faithful and wait for God's mercy. Jude concluded his writing with this beautiful doxology.
"24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen."
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