Archive for the 'Jude' Category

Jude 25

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 6 Comments
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Jude 25 "To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen."
 
This verse is the only verse where there are four attributes of God together.
To God our Savior,
Jesus is both "God" and "Savior." Peter used the title “Savior” five times in Second Peter. It is God’s nature to save. God devised a plan where it is impossible for man to contribute to his salvation. The only one who can save us is Jesus Christ. If man can contribute to the plan, then the plan is only as strong as the contributor. Sinful man cannot make a perfect plan of salvation.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope… 1 Ti 1:1
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Ti 2:3-4
For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 1 Ti 4:10
…but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior… Tit 1:3
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared… Tit 3:4
Who alone is wise,
There is no wisdom above or beyond God. He is ultimate wisdom, and our wisdom is merely a derivative of His wisdom. God is wise because He devised a plan independent of man.
…to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Ro 16:27
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Ti 1:17
Be glory and majesty,
"Glory" is the sum total of all God’s attributes and the affirmation of His existence as God.
"Majesty" is the dignity or splendor God deserves as King of the Universe and existence. It refers to God’s regal presence.
Dominion and power,
"Dominion" means there is no challenge to God’s sovereignty. This is God’s absolute power.
"Power" is God’s authority to do whatever He wills. He has the prerogative and right to rule sovereignly over all creation. His power is His ability to carry out His plan.
Both now and forever.
 All the above descriptions are true both in time and eternity.
Amen.
"Amen" means I believe it, it is true. Jude makes his own concluding statement about the doxology—"I believe it."
PRINCIPLE: We have a God who is in such supreme control that, in spite of all odds, He will deliver us.
APPLICATION: God guarantees Christians success ultimately in eternity because He has the capacity to do whatever He wills.
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Jude 24c

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 0 Comments
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 ETERNAL SECURITY

I. ARGUMENTS FOR ETERNAL SECURITY
1. God gives us eternal life at salvation, not temporal life (Ro 6:23; He 5:8, 9; 9:12).
Jn 6: 47Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
Jn 10: 27My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
2. Greek tenses:
* Acts 16:31 – "shall be saved" is aorist tense (at one point in time, not at many points).
* Eph 2:8,9 – "are you saved" is perfect tense [perfect tense in the Greek, meaning that it happened at one point in the past with the results going on from that point - we are eternally saved at the point of salvation.
* Jude 1 - "preserved in Christ Jesus" is in the perfect tense again.
3. God keeps our eternal salvation by His power (Jn 10:29; Ro 8:31, 32, 38, 39; 1 Pe 1:5).
Ro 8: 31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Ro 8: 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Pe 1:5who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
4. Our salvation rests on the promises of God, not on our belief (Jn 3:16, 36; 5:24).
Jn 5: 24Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
5. Jesus saves our lives by His life (Ro 5:9, 10).
Ro 5: 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
6. The immutability of God keeps our salvation (2 Ti 2:12, 13).
2 Ti 2: 12If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
7. It is our position in Jesus Christ that preserves our salvation (1 Pe 1:4,5; Ju 1).
Ju 1: 1Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ...
8. God keeps our salvation (Ju 24).
Jude 24-25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen."
One day we will be faultless and sinless; now we are blameless (free from censure by God because of Christ’s death for our sin).
9. Our position in Christ Jesus gives us eternal status with God (outer circle) (Ro 8:1; Ep 1:3; 2:6).
10. Jesus pleads our case as our Defense Attorney (He 7:25; 9:24; 1 Jn 2:1, 2; Jn 17).
He 7: 25Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
11. The Christian receives the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit at salvation (1 Co 6:19; Eph 2:22).
1 Co 6: 19Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
12. The Holy Spirit puts the believer once and for all into the body of Christ at salvation (1 Co 12:13—this is aorist tense, at the one point of salvation).
1 Co 12: 13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
13. The Holy Spirit seals our salvation at the point of belief (Eph 1:13, 14; 4:30).
14. Once born spiritually, we cannot become unborn (Ga 3:26).
Ga 3: 26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
15. For God to be consistent with His character, He has to give us His absolute righteousness. He cannot accept our temporal, relative righteousness into His heaven (Ro 3-5, 10). 
Ro 3: 21But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
16. God guarantees that He will complete the work of salvation in us (Ph 1:6; He 12:2).
17. Placement as an adult son guarantees our salvation (Ro 8:15, 16; Ga 4:4,5; Ep 1:3-5).
Ga 4: 4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
18.  The causal nature of our justification (Ro 3-5)
Ro 4: 5But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies [cause to be right with God] the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”
19. Christ’s one or finished offering perfected us forever, He 10:14
He 10: 14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
II. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR SALVATION?
It is the work of three persons:
1. The Father: The Father is able to keep us. He is sovereign and supreme. No power can rise against him: Romans 8:31-34, 38-39 (God lists every spiritual and natural enemy here; no enemy has enough power to attack our salvation).
The Father’s purpose:
Ep 1:4
He 2:10 = avowed purpose to bring many sons to glory.
The Father’s power:
Jn 10:29; 1 Pe 1:5, God’s power to save and keep saved. 
Ro 8:31-39
The Father’s promise:
Jn 3:16; 5:24, Two-fold aspect: (1) shall not come to condemnation but (2) is passed from death to life, i.e., already passed from death to life. 
The Father’s love:
Ro 5:7-9 
2. Jesus Christ: John 10:27-28 (nothing [neuter] can pluck us out of his hand); Romans 4:25; 8:1; Ephesians 2:6; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1,2.
Ro 5:8; 8:1; He 5:8-9; 1 Jn 2:2, The provision of the Son as our sacrifice is a basis of our security. He is our substitute for the penalty of our sins; we cannot be that substitute in any sense. 
Ro 4:25; Ep 2:6, We are raised together [jointly] with Christ
Jn 17:11-16; He 7:25; 9:24; 1 Jn 2:1-2, Jesus’ work as advocate [lawyer] guarantees salvation because He always wins His case! 
Jn 10:27-28, Jesus is able to keep His sheep so they “shall never perish” and “nothing [neuter] will be able to pluck them out of my hand.” He is able to save us to the “uttermost” (He 7:25).
3. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit seals our salvation: I Corinthians 6:19; 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30. God seals us unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). No one can break that seal. The seal is a person–the Holy Spirit.
The indwelling of the Holy Spirit guarantees our salvation because it is permanent (1 Co 6:19; Ep 2:22).
The baptism of the Holy Spirit of the believer into the body of Christ guarantees our salvation because by that baptism God placed us into the body of Christ (1 Co 12:13). Jesus “…might present her [the church] to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ep 5:27). 
The sealing of the Holy Spirit guarantees our salvation because the Holy Spirit Himself is the seal (Ep 1:13, 14). God placed His irremovable identifying mark upon every child of God. This is God’s identifying brand whereby God certifies His ownership of each of us (2 Co 1:21-22; Ep 4:30). 
III. DECLARATIONS OF SCRIPTURE
Note the declarations of Scripture about the guarantee of our salvation:
John 6:47, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." God gives eternal life, not spasmodic life or intermittent life.
Philippians 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."
God keeps our salvation until he comes back again.
2 Timothy 4:18, "And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!"
No question, no doubt, no equivocation but absolute assurance that God will preserve us for eternity.
Hebrews 5:9, "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him."
God gives eternal salvation, not temporal.
Hebrews 7:25, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
The finished work of Christ saves us from the penalty of sin but the unfinished work of Christ at the right hand of God is saving us from the power of sin.
Hebrews 12:2, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He will complete what he starts.
Jude 1, "To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ."
God preserves us because of our association with Christ.
Jude 24-25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen."
One day we will be faultless and sinless; now we are blameless (free from censure by God because of Christ’s death for our sin).
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Jude 24b

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 2 Comments
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Jude 24 "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,"
 
And to present you faultless 
God alone is competent to “present” us "faultless" before Himself one day. The word "faultless" means without blemish, blameless. This word alludes to the Old Testament sacrifice presented to God without blemish. The believer will stand before God in eternity without accusation, free from all allegations by God.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Th 5:23
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 Jn 3:2
…knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 2 Co 4:14
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
Not only will God present us to Himself without fault, but it will be a presentation of great or exceeding joy. The idea is exaltation. We will leap for joy in the presence of God’s glorious presence.
PRINCIPLE: Salvation is permanent and cannot be forfeited.
APPLICATION: God is able to save believers from theological problems. Jesus constantly intercedes on our behalf for all our problems. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
…who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pe 1:5 
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one. Jn 10:27-30
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ro 8:38-39
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pe 1:3-5
The Christian does not have to hold onto his salvation, because God holds it for him. This is the perseverance of the Savior rather than the perseverance of the saints.
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Jude 24

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 4 Comments
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Jude 24 "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,"

 

Now we come to the conclusion of Jude and to one of the greatest benedictions of the entire Bible. Note other benedictions of the New Testament:

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began… Ro 16:25

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Co 13:14

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us… Eph 3:20

…that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 1 Ti 6:14-16

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Heb 13:20, 21

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,

God alone is capable to keep us "from stumbling." God will keep or guard the believer from falling into apostasy. The ancient Greek of Xenophon used the word "stumbling" for a sure-footed horse that does not stumble. God will enable us to walk safely in the midst of apostasy. He will keep the believer from losing faith.

"Him who is able" speaks of the omnipotence of God. It is God’s omnipotence that keeps us from apostasy.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.” Da 3:16-17

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Ro 4:20, 21

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Co 9:8

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Eph 3:20-21

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Heb 2:18

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Heb 7:25

PRINCIPLE: When God saves our souls, He saves them for eternity.

APPLICATION: The onus for our salvation is on God. He keeps our salvation eternally secure.

The study below is too extensive for a daily devotional. However, if you wish to study this subject more extensively, see the study below.

 

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Jude 22-23

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 7 Comments
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Jude 22-23 "And on some have compassion, making a distinction;"
 
We have, in verses 22 and 23, three tactics in dealing with error:
1.    Show mercy to the wavering heretic.
2.    Use boldness with the confirmed heretic.
3.    Use caution in showing mercy to heretics.
1:22
And on some have compassion,
The object of compassion here is on apostates. These are people who waver in their doubts about the Word of God. If apostates show positive volition toward the Word of God, the believer should respond positively to them.
making a distinction;
The purpose of rebuke is correction and restoration, not condemnation. Our approach to apostates must have the "distinction" or discernment of having "compassion" on them.
1:23
but others save with fear,
Jude recommends two separate courses of action in dealing with apostates. (1) For some we show "compassion" and (2) others we attempt to save by resolute warning.
The "others" here are non-Christian false teachers. Christians are to approach false teachers "with fear" (caution) for their souls.
pulling them out of the fire,
Apostates stand on the brink of eternal damnation–hell fire.  
hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
The "flesh" here refers to the total man, psychological man and the sin capacity.
"Hate" is a legitimate exercise when it comes to apostasy.
The "garment" is proverbial, referring to avoiding even the most remote aspect of apostasy. It is important in dealing with apostates because of the possibility of contamination with their false beliefs.
PRINCIPLE: Spiritual discernment is necessary in dealing with the victims of doubt.
APPLICATION: There is a sense of judgment necessary in dealing with people who fall into or are falling into apostasy. It is possible to drive people into apostasy by our attitude.
There is a difference between doubt and disbelief. Those in the category of doubt need to be treated with distinction.
Doctrinal defilement spreads quickly, so it is important to "hate" theological error.
Passion flows out of compassion. The Greek word for “compassion” occurs 31 times in the New Testament but is only translated “compassion” three times. It is translated “pity” or “mercy.” We need a capacity for mercy. Mercy is not natural to us. We are cruel and live according to the law of the jungle. We do not want to be bothered with false teaching. Our attitude is “let them go to hell.” We are the best Christians some people know but they will never hear it from us because we have no compassion.
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Jude 21b

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 1 Comment
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Jude 21 "…keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
 
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
This phrase has to do with looking forward to Christ’s imminent coming. The Rapture is the culminating evidence of God’s mercy in time. The word "looking" carries the ideas of expecting, waiting for, earnestly expecting. It conveys the ideas of receiving to one’s self, admitting, giving access to. Christians are to live in expectation of the Rapture. It may happen today. "Looking for" is present tense carrying the idea of a constant state of mind.
"Mercy" is pity, compassion, kindness, goodness. This is God’s mercy toward us.
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. La 3:22-23
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 Co 4:1
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… 1 Pe 1:3
unto eternal life.
The Rapture will usher us into eternal life. "Eternal life" has to do with both quality of life and endless life. Eternal life is the final expression of God’s mercy to His own. God will usher the believer into the eternal state at the Rapture. This will be the glorification of the human body.
We have eternal life now as Christians but will have it in the fullest sense at the Rapture.
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Jn 5:24
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. Jn 6:40
PRINCIPLE: Anticipation of the Rapture gives hope that God will resolve all doctrinal issues.
APPLICATION: A great encouragement to the Christian life is the imminent coming of Christ for the saints at the Rapture. Christians are to stay alert to His coming. That will be a day when we will realize His full mercy–body, soul, and spirit.
The Lord may come at any moment. No promise needs to be fulfilled before He comes.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Jn 14:3-4
The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Ro 13:12
… so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ… 1 Co 1:7
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. 1 Co 4:5
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Co 11:26
Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Co 15:51, 52
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Php 3:20, 21
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Th 1:9-10
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 1 Th 2:19
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Th 4:13-18
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Th 5:23
…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ… Tit 2:13
And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Heb 9:27, 28
For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Heb 10:37
Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! Jas 5:9
…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ… 1 Pe 1:7
…and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 1 Pe 5:4
And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 1 Jn 2:28
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 Jn 3:2-3
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Jude 21

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 1 Comment
Read Introduction to Jude

 

Jude 21 "…keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."
 
This verse gives us the last two items to strengthen ourselves in days of apostasy. We are to keep ourselves in the love of God and to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
keep yourselves in the love of God,
Now we come to a responsibility, not a privilege, that falls on every Christian.
This phrase does not convey the idea that we need to keep God loving us by good works to maintain our salvation. Rather, God nurtures the Christian as the believer focuses on God’s love for him. We need to let God’s love for us flood our hearts. This is not keeping our love for God in focus but keeping His love for us in view. God’s love is more than sentiment; it is a love of commitment to us.
The word "keep" is an imperative indicating the believer’s urgent responsibility to understand God’s love and apply it to himself. The word "keep" means to attend to carefully, take care of, guard. We are to give careful attention to the love of God for us. We keep ourselves understanding God’s love by (1) building ourselves on the Word of God and (2) praying in the Holy Spirit.
PRINCIPLE: Christians should live their Christian lives with the idea that God loves them.
APPLICATION: Faith demands that we accept God’s love for us. It is possible to walk out of sunshine into the shade. It is possible to step out of the sunshine of God’s love for us into the dim realization of it. Keeping ourselves in the love of God affects our priorities and viewpoint on life.
Some of us step out of accepting God’s mercy and love. Keeping ourselves in the love of God is keeping ourselves in the will of God.
God loves us with an everlasting love:
The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Je 31:3
The Trinity loves us:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Co 13:14
God loves us with a great love:
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us… Eph 2:4
God loved us enough to save us:
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared… Tit 3:4
God’s love toward us is unusual:
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 1 Jn 3:1
God’s essential nature is love:
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 Jn 4:8
 
 
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Jude 20b

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 0 Comments
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Jude 20 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"

 

 praying in the Holy Spirit,

 Now we come to the second prerogative of the believer to strengthen his Christian life. The Holy Spirit jealously guards our prayer life.

Praying in the Holy Spirit is praying under the control of the Spirit. This is prayer under the guidance of the Spirit. This is not mechanical prayer but prayer engaged with the Spirit. Prayer and the Word of God go together (Ac 6:4).

The Holy Spirit joins our prayer life (Ro 8:26-28) to direct our prayers more accurately. He is the Spirit of supplications.

“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. Zec 12:10

PRINCIPLE: The Holy Spirit enables us to pray properly.

APPLICATION: Christians who pray in the Spirit allow the Holy Spirit to influence the direction of their prayers.

Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice. Ps 55:17

O You who hear prayer, To You all flesh will come. Ps 65:2

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Mt 7:7

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Mt 21:22

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, Lk 18:1

… but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Ac 6:4

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. Ac 12:5

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, Ro 1:9

… praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Eph 6:18

… pray without ceasing, 1 Th 5:17

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Jas 5:16

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Jude 20

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 0 Comments
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Jude 20 "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,"
 
Jude now turns to how to deal with apostasy from a personal perspective.
1.    Build yourselves up on your most holy faith.
2.    Pray in the Holy Spirit.
3.    Keep yourselves in the love of God
4.    Wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But you,
The words "but you" show contrast between apostates and Jude’s readers. These words carry the idea of "as for you as over against the apostates." The believer has prerogative to deal with apostasy.
beloved,
This is the third time Jude uses the term "beloved" (vv. 3, 17, 20). "Beloved" is one of God’s favorite names for His children. Believers are God’s aristocracy, God’s elect. Jude is concerned that his harsh treatment of apostates will affect his relationship to his readers.
building yourselves up on your most holy faith,
Jude’s first policy for dealing with apostasy is to build an edification construct of the soul. Jude challenges his readers to deal with the issue of apostasy by personal edification.
We build ourselves by taking heed to the "most holy faith"; that is, the Word of God. We need to understand the passage, grasp its principle, and apply the principle to our experience. The metaphor of building a building in connection with spiritual growth portrays the idea of solidity and strength in the Christian life. Our first and greatest defense against apostasy is to be strong inwardly in the Word of God. We are to build ourselves "on" our "most holy faith." This is the foundation for constructing our faith.
The words "building yourselves up" mean to build upon, build up. The foundation was laid down by the Word of God, but the believer is to finish building the structure by applying its principles to experience by faith.
Our "most holy faith" is the same idea as the faith once delivered (v. 3). Our faith rests on what God has revealed in His Word. The Word of God is central to spiritual growth. "Faith" here is the body of belief found in the Bible. It is the controlling factor that keeps us from false teaching. Faith here is "most holy" because it comes from God and is set apart by God for us.
PRINCIPLE: The sure foundation for faith is the Word of God.
APPLICATION: If we shut the Bible, we shut the mouth of God. Studying the Word of God is not optional. It is not like going through a spiritual cafeteria, picking and choosing whether we eat it or not.
Application of the principles of God’s Word to experience is basic to Christian living. We cannot do this by proxy or remote control. This is far more than Bible reading; it goes on to Bible understanding and application. This is our Christian career, not a hobby. The Bible is our most important apparatus for living the Christian life. It is the stock and trade of Christian living. We feed on the Bible.
The devil manufactures substitute spiritual food for the believer constantly. We love to read anything or participate in anything except the diligent study of the Bible. God has a special diet for the believer, or “saint food”—the Word of God. We develop spiritual muscles to gain strength. We ought to be stronger this year than we were last year. We should control our temper more this year than last year. Character does not come from something within the person, but character comes from appropriation of truth to experience. There can be no biblical character without truth.
So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Ac 20:32
…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone… Eph 2:20
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” Mt 4:4
…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby… 1 Pe 2:2
…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen. 2 Pe 3:18
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food. Job 23:12
Note that Job did not say that the Bible was more important than dessert, but more important than his "necessary food," such as meat and vegetables.
Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Je 15:16
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Jude 18-19

Published on March 17, 2008 in Jude. 0 Comments
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Jude 18-19 "…how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit."
 
1:18
how they told you that there would be mockers 
The apostles warned Jude’s readers that some would "mock" Christianity. New Testament authors warned that "mockers" would diminish Christianity in the future.
in the last time
The "last time" refers to the end of the church age and the Tribulation.
who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.
Scoffers walk according to their own norms, which are "ungodly lusts."
1:19
These are sensual persons,
A sensual person is one who centers his life around himself. He is "sensual" as opposed to "spiritual." Sensual people are essentially "animal" in nature. These apostates are all "soul" (mind, emotion, will) but no "spirit" (capacity to relate to God).
who cause divisions,
False teachers are divisive. False teachers cause divisions in the local church between those faithful to the New Testament (apostle’s teaching) and unbelievers. They want their own following even if it means splitting a church. They love to make theological distinctions.
not having the Spirit.
Scoffers follow their natural instincts. By this, they minimize the Holy Spirit. They are not Christians because they do not have the Holy Spirit.
PRINCIPLE: Questioning God’s Word makes us vulnerable to satanic attack.
APPLICATION: There are those who traffic in religion today. These people no longer believe in the deity of Christ, His virgin birth, or substitutionary sacrifice for sins. These people allow their souls to dominate their beliefs. They do not accept the Word of God by faith. They operate on pure human viewpoint rather than divine viewpoint.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Ro 8:9
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 1 Co 2:12
But the natural man [soulish man] does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Co 2:14
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