Jude – Part III
The marvelous epistle of Jude was written by Jude, the half-brother of our Lord (Matthew 13:55) and brother of James, the writer of the epistle of James. This interesting epistle was written against the backdrop of the prevalence of false teachers in Jude’s day. These false teachers had made their inroads into the church!
The wonderful book of Jude may be viewed as follows: I. The Prevalence of False Teachers Vv. 1-4; II. The Prevailing Problem of False Teachers, and God’s Past Judgment of Rebellion Vv. 5-16; III. A Pressing Defense Against False Teachers Vv. 17-25.
III. A Pressing Defense Against False Teachers Vv. 17-25
Jude begins verse 17, exhorting his readers to remember what the “apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” had previously said concerning false teachers. Verse 18 supplies us with the reason why the apostates were mockers of God’s word. These apostates wanted to “walk after their own ungodly lusts.” II Peter 3:3 tells us that the mockers were scoffing at the promise of God’s return. In general, these false teachers in verse 18 are mocking other truths of God’s word.
The false teachers who were mockers in verse 19 are noted in three ways: they separate (to cause division), which is an apt description of what these servants of Satan are noted for; they are sensual (worldly); and the reason why these false prophets act this way is that they are devoid of the Holy Spirit. It seems to me that Jude is informing us to be enlightened by the fact of the prevalence of false teachers!
In light of the prevalence of menacing false teachers, Jude exhorts all believers of this age to grow in their faith (v. 20a). As believers, we must be progressing in the knowledge of our most holy faith. In addition to progressing in the knowledge of our most holy faith, Christians need to pray in the Spirit. “Praying in the Holy Spirit” means praying out of hearts that are indwelt, illuminated, and filled by the Spirit (v. 20b).
In verse 21, a believer needs to keep themselves in God’s love and look for the mercy of our Lord. How can a believer keep oneself in God’s love? A believer is nurtured as he is occupied with God’s love for Him and is in fellowship with Him. Also, the latter part of verse 21 informs a believer that he needs to be “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life,” as he or she awaits the coming of Jesus Christ, which is the consummating evidence of His mercy.
Since the Lord has shown us mercy in verse 21, we (believers) should have compassion on those who are still unsaved. Since non-Christians are headed for hell, to rescue them from that fate is like plucking them out of the fire (v. 22). Those who seek to rescue the perishing in verse 23 must do so with caution, lest they too be tempted (Galatians 6:1). Keeping oneself from moral defilement is probably the idea behind the phrase: “hating even the garment spotted by the flesh”
In an astonishing doxology (vv. 24-25), Jude supplies us with an answer to who will deliver us from the dreaded apostates and apostasy so prevalent. Jude proclaims triumphantly that victory over apostasy is found in Jesus Christ. He is the One who will keep believers. He will present believers to the Father faultless and with great joy, Hallelujah! Jude attributes to God – to the only God our Savior, the glory, majesty, power, and authority! God has challenged us in this age to defend the truths entrusted unto us, but He has assured us that He is able to keep us from stumbling!
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
