For
my devotions, I have been using the NIV Quiet Time Bible. I have been working
my way through the smaller books at the end of the New Testament. Today, I
found myself in the book of Jude. I confess that Jude is not a book I have
spent much time in. It tends to get lost, tucked away at the end of the New
Testament, and overshadowed by
Revelation. As I read this short book today, (only 25 verses) I was surprised
to discover how relevant it is to our times.
Jude
was one of Jesus’ brothers. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jude was skeptical about
his eldest brother. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, Jude came to faith in
Jesus and became part of the early church. We do not have much information
about Jude, but we get some insights into him through this one letter of his,
which has been preserved for our benefit.
Jude
identified himself as the brother of James, and was probably involved with the
church in Jerusalem. He was concerned about the health of the church.
Specifically, he was concerned about false teachers who had infiltrated the
church and perverted the Gospel. These false teachers had turned their liberty
into license and their boldness into arrogance. They were leading the people away
from the truth of Jesus, and promoting a selfish, self-centered, indulgent
life-style.
The
things that Jude alludes to are evident in the church today. There are those
who are seeking to use the Gospel for their own ends; political, social, and
personal. Their words are smooth and convincing, but they led people away from
Christ. The last few verses of this small book are sound instruction for those
of us living in these challenging times.
But, dear friends, remember what the
apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, "In the last
times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These
are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have
the Spirit.
But you, dear friends, build
yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep
yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to
bring you to eternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch
others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with
fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 17-23
- We need to keep our eyes open and not be enticed into
false pathways. The best way to do this is to test everything against the truth
of the Bible.
Dear
friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they
are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1
- We need to seek the Lord with all of our heart. Like
the author of Hebrews says, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of our faith.
- We need to stand up for one another. Like soldiers in
the heat of battle, we need the support of other believers. When doubts arise,
we need to assure one another. When one of us slips and falls, we need to pick
him up. When someone strays, we need to respond with mercy, tempered by holy
fear.
Brothers,
if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1
Jude
ends his short letter with a powerful benediction of hope and praise.
To
him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious
presence without fault and with great joy-- to the only God our Savior be
glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all
ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25
We
would do well to pay attention to this hidden gem, tucked away at the end of
the New Testament. Jude’s words are timely, powerful and relevant to where we
live today.
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