Earnestly Contending For The Faith
The Contending – Part Two
Through the Cross and by the Cross comes Justification, Sanctification, Grace, Peace, Hope, Faith, Love and Blessings of every description. ALL we have as believers comes through the finished work of Christ. The mighty Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Godhead, to which He is alluded, brings about ALL His work within our hearts and lives, which includes all the Graces through the legal work of the Cross. He will work in no other atmosphere of faith except that which places its total dependency upon the finished work at Calvary. It is this faith we have been exhorted to contend for in these last days, which have been foretold to see a great falling away from “the faith,” and a departing unto “seducing spirits.”
TEXT: Jude 1:3 - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
The smallest book of the Bible contains some of the largest truths we must grasp and hold on to as we enter the last days before Christ’s return to Earth. The epistle of Jude bears the name of its author, who describes himself as "a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James" <Jude 1>. Jude is an English form of the name “Judas.” Many scholars believe that the James mentioned in this passage is James the brother of Jesus, who is referred to in <Matthew 13:55> where the people said concerning Jesus, "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?" <Mark 6:3>.
Mark 6:3
Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
Matthew 13:55
Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Despite being the brother of James and of Jesus, it is very possible and more than likely probable, that Jude did not believe in the Master <John 7:5> until after Jesus' resurrection <Acts 1:14>. But once he did believe it is evident from this short but powerful epistle that Jude was given great insight into the last days.
John 7:5
For neither did his brethren believe in him.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
The last of the general letters of the New Testament and the next to the last book of the Bible, Jude is a brief but hard-hitting epistle written by a man who was committed to exposing and condemning the negative influence of false doctrine which almost destroyed the early church much like false doctrine is trying to destroy the modern church today. Jude unmasks this false teaching with pointed language and vivid images, while appealing to the faithful to remember the teachings of the apostles. He uses the term “FAITH once delivered to the saints,” and “common salvation” as a springboard into a warning to all who will hear what the Spirit would say to the Church.
Jude follows his salutation with a stern warning that echoes down for the modern church world today that "licentiousness" has found its way into the church <vv. 3-4>.” Such blasphemies will receive the judgment of God, as did sinful Israel <v. 5>, rebellious angels <v. 6>, and Sodom and Gomorrah <v. 7>.
Jude 1:5-7 - I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. [6] And the angels, which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. [7] Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
In verses eight through 13, note that the outrage of the blasphemers exceeds that of Satan himself and is similar to the rebellions of Cain <Gen. 4:3-8>, Balaam <Numbers 22--24>, and Korah <Num. 16:19-35>. Their schemes are nothing new, Jude declares, who also points out that Enoch of old prophesied their punishment <vv. 14-16> before he was translated.
Jude 1:8-13 - Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. [9] Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. [10] But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. [11] Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. [12] These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; [13] Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.
It is upon this premise that the Holy Spirit through Jude sends warning to us today that deception is going to increase as we get nearer to the end of the church age and the times of the Gentiles. It seems that Jude the author set out to write about "our common salvation" <v. 3>, but the more pressing issue of false teachers launched him into a bitter attack on the "ungodly" <v. 15>.
The ungodliness of these false teachers and prophets took the form of denying the lordship of Jesus Christ and, in the name of grace <v. 4>, justifying a life that included immorality of all sorts <vv. 4,7, 16>, mercenary interests <v. 11,16>, cheap talk <v. 16>, and utter worldliness <v. 19>. It gave the grace of God over to “lasciviousness,” as Jude put it.
The false teachers attacked by Jude seem to have separated "spiritual" matters from behavior. Apparently they taught that the world is evil, and therefore it makes little difference how one behaves just as long as one is uttering the right “words,” to sound like a true teacher or preacher of the gospel. Like the Nicolaitans <Rev. 2:6,15>, the false teachers deserved the just punishment of God. They refused to recognize the implications of the incarnation-- that if God cared enough to send His Son into the world, then He certainly cares how people behave in it.
This epistle give us a clarion call to become a defender of the faith who is "contending earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" <v. 3>. The "ungodly" are not the heathen outside the church; they are the false teachers inside <v. 12>. Their association with the faith, however, does not mean they live in the faith: the ungodly have not the Spirit <v. 19>, whereas the faithful do <v. 20>; the ungodly remain in eternal darkness <v. 13>, but the saints have eternal life <v. 21>.
Condemning his opponents in sharp imagery, Jude calls them "raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever" <v. 13>. The saints, on the other hand, must set their anchor in the teaching of the apostles <v. 17>, and in the love of God <v. 21>. They must work to retrieve those who have been deceived from certain destruction <vv. 22-23>.
Jude's last word on the problem of corruption in the church is preserved in a memorable benediction. Only God can keep us from error and bring us to Himself:
Jude 22 - 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.
As we continue our journal on this tiny book, we want to look closer at the words “earnestly contend.”
“Earnestly contend,” in the Greek is epagonizaomai, and is found only here in the New Covenant. It speaks to us of a vigorous, intense, determined struggle to defeat the opposition. Our English word, agony, is the English spelling of the noun form of this word. The simple verb was used of athletes contending for athletic contests. With such intense effort does Jude say that Saints should defend the Doctrines of Christianity, mainly the bedrock of those doctrines – the cross of Christ.
In Peter’s first epistle to the church, we are given insight on how we are to do this:
1 Peter 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
He says that we are to “be ready always to give an answer.” The words “give an answer,” carries the connotation in the Greek of the law courts, speaking of the attorney for the defense presenting a “verbal defense,” for his client. The intensity of the defense must be adjusted to the intensity of the opposition that comes from Satan through false doctrine.
The words of Jude are not Jude’s. These words are the Holy Spirit’s to us for these last days THIS generation finds itself in. Contending for the faith is not a pretty business. It requires saying tough things and yes in some cases exposing those who are preaching false doctrine.
As we have stated many times in previous journals, our goal in writing is not to sound divisive or cruel. I’m afraid though that we as at-ease Christians here in this country have been lulled to sleep by the siren songs of the modern ministry, a strong word is what it’s going to take to awake us out of slumber. These words we write we are first writing to ourself. The exhortations we give others are exhortations we have received for US first from the Holy Spirit. We can never expect the Holy Spirit to stir YOUR heart if He has not first stirred OUR hearts!
The self-esteem gospel of the 21rst Center will lead Christians into spiritual declension and even possibly the loss of their souls. The word of faith movement in general, not everyone who is a part of this movement, propagates a doctrine of humanism that is wrapped up in Christian lingo to cause many to think it is scriptural and ok.
The true gospel of Christ will never elevate man. The true gospel of Christ repudiates man’s thinking that he can save himself. It lays bear man’s wicked heart and points him to the only source for peace and salvation – the blood-stained hands of the Risen Messiah. The Earth has literally been soaked with the blood of millions over the centuries who have stood for truth to proclaim the true gospel of Christ. The battle lines for truth over error were drawn long ago in the sand. We are just witnessing the final battles for the final generation in the day we are living in now.
Ps 24:6
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah
(NIV)
Ps 102:14-18
14 For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.
15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
16 For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.
17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
18 Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:
The term “future” in verse 18 of the 102nd Psalm means “last.” In other words the “last generation,” before Christ returns to earth will see a time when the nations will once again fear the name of the Lord and the kings of the earth will revere your glory. Zion will be rebuit and the Lord will appear in His glory!
The Lord gave the first family (Adam and Eve) the means by which they were to commune with Him and He with them, which would be through the sacrificial system. Abel believed what God said and offered up an innocent victim, a lamb. Cain rebelled against this particular way, substituting his own ways and methods, which God would not accept.
Cain was not content to continue to offer up that which God wasn’t going to accept, but felt at the same time, that he must also stop the TRUE sacrifice, which he attempted to do by killing his brother. These two problems have existed throughout the generations from then until now.
Evil men within the Church, attempt to present a way other than the CROSS of which the sacrifices were a type. As well, they are not content with their erroneous message, but feel they must silence the one who is preaching the Cross. And they will use any method necessary to do so, even up to murder. Sounds insane don’t it? But friend, look at the bottom line in the parts of the world where the church is being persecuted the most. It’s over the sacrifice of Abel and the way of Cain.
In a majority of Islamic countries, those who refuse to subject themselves to “Allah,” and declare their faith in the seed of Isaac, Yeshua, the Lamb of God, they are usually tortured, killed and at times worse. This conflict will get more and more pronounced as we draw closer to the coming of the Lord. It’s not an easy thing to be a prophet! It’s not easy to be a pastor with a true shepherd’s heart for the people. It’s not easy to be an evangelist sent by God to preach the word of God under such Holy Ghost anointing that many people get saved, healed and delivered. The struggle is not against flesh and blood, but it is over the sacrifice!
The true church will always be at war with the apostate church over the sacrifice. The true church will always have its faith in the finished work of Christ. The apostate church will be, as the whore upon the beast in Revelation 17, just an organization with people in it but who are “twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” Religion “sits” on people and that is what the apostate church does. It “sits” on its people through rules and regulations. It “sits” on its people from keeping its people from hearing the truth. Why? Because it is the TRUTH that sets us free! It’s the truth that we must come to in our walk with God that we are looking for more than just a touch, we are looking for the TRUTH which will set us FREE!
John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Once Delivered
The phrase “once delivered” unto the saints refers to “once for all.” In other words, no other faith will be given. There are not two faiths, three faiths, four faiths or five faiths – there is ONE FAITH!
Eph 4:4-6 - There is one body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
That is why unity IS important in the Body of Christ. But unity centers on a PERSON, not a doctrine. If the doctrinal stance does not exalt the Lordship of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, then it is a false doctrinal stance! And “unity” at the sake of truth is not Biblical unity. We have a serious issue today in the Body along these lines. Many want to come together in a show of unity while never addressing the serious doctrinal issues we have that in many cases are leading people down a path to hell itself. We can recognize our differences with the Mormons, the Jehovah Witnesses and such, as we should. But neighbor there is not three sets of scriptural guidelines for victorious Christian living! There is only one – having THE FAITH in the cross of CHRIST.
The word “delivered” in this passage means “paradidomi,” and means “to give over into one’s power or use, to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage.” The idea is that “God gave the Christian doctrines to the Saints as a deposit of truth to be guarded.” (Wuest commentate on the New Testament)
All of this means that NO CHANGE is possible in the teaching of it. The Christian faith is complete in the CROSS of Christ. It is a “finished work,” which means that nothing can be added, and nothing must be taken away. All of this was done “ONCE” in the sense that it is not to be done again, therefore, in the sense then that it is complete, and that means that nothing has to be added to it.
Everything the Lord has revealed to the Body through the Cross we are to DEFEND as true. We are to surrender NO PART of it whatsoever, for every part of this system is of value to mankind. And if the Believer doesn’t understand the Cross of Christ, then the believer does not have a true understanding of Christianity and his walk with God. That sounds narrow and that sounds strait but friend it’s the only path that will give you life everlasting and abundant life here on earth.
As I write these words I feel in my spirit that someone who is reading this right now is being moved by these words. You’re “miserably saved,” yet seeking a place of victory in your walk with God. I have good news today. LOOK TO THE CROSS. LOOK TO JESUS, the AUTHOR and the FINISHER of our faith. He has already gained the victory. All we must do is ANCHOR our faith in HIM and nothing else. You’ve looked high and low, this preacher and that preacher, this church and that church, this movement and that movement, this fad and that fad. You’ve had so many people lay hands on you their hand prints are showing up on your forehead. You’ve had so much oil poured on you that you could solve the national energy crisis – but NOTHING ahs worked. And there is a sense of frustration within.
Your answer friend is in this faith I am talking about today. Your answer is in placing your trust – not in human effort be they good or bad – but in the EFFORT JESUS HAS ALREADY MADE FOR YOUR VICTORY AT THE CROSS when He died and shed His blood. THAT is what has been “delivered,” to the church for us to preach. That is what has been “delivered,” to the church for us to teach. That is what has been “delivered” to the church for us to proclaim upon the mountain tops. We have been called to “EARNESTLY,” contend for the FAITH.
We have not been called to lay out a gospel message that only promises riches and blessings without making the hearer cognizance of his fallen condition. Oh, Glory to God. I feel this friend. This is the last days’ battleground we are on with many of souls at stake in the balance.
I want to say something again I said in the first part of this journal series. It DOES matter where you go to church. It DOES matter who you listen to on Sunday. It DOES matter what you take into your spirit man. Those things we hear and “feed” on as Christians will either destroy us or strengthen us for the days’ battle ahead and neighbor there is coming a battle. Some of you reading this are in the middle of that fight already. I wish I could tell you things were going to get better –they are not. We are on a collision course with judgment upon Planet Earth. The only ones standing in the gap at this second keeping God’s wrath at bay on Earth are the intercessory prayers of the saints still on earth and the intercessory work of Christ at the right hand asking the Father to bring in the harvest. That should give us pause and cause us to seek His face with fear and trembling this hour.
Yet the church stands up and with arrogance unparalleled in the history of the Body screams “we are rich, we are increased with goods, we have big buildings, we have big congregations, we have great educational systems, - we don’t need you any more Jesus.” And that is why millions are slipping off into hell so fast we can’t see straight and we sit by and many never give it a second thought. Paul said this fight of faith was about eternal things, not temporal ones.
2 Cor. 4:16-18 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. [17] For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; [18] While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
This is the arena in which we fight and contend for the faith. I know at times these journals may come across as being negative but in fact they are written in a positive attitude. I know in my heart that what we say is coming from the heart of God as He woos His people back to Him in greater intimacy in these waning moments of time. I know in my heart also that a majority of the people who take the time to read these journals are hearing another gospel and to them what we write probably sounds like Greek or another language. What we are writing is the simple gospel friend. It’s the “faith,” once delivered to the saints. It’s the common salvation that Paul had, that Peter had, that John had, that James had, that Matthew had, that Mark had, that Luke had, that Mary the mother of Jesus had.
It’s not a new message, it just sounds new because this generation has seen the greatest slide by the church into apostasy and false doctrine than any other generation has since the early apostolic age of the First Church. To bring the church back WILL require a strong word. It will REQUIRE a word that penetrates more than the senses but reaches the hearts of men and women, especially those in leadership – the preachers of the gospel who hold the fate of this nation more in their hands than those in Washington D.C. and the U.S. Armed Forces.
I heard a conservative radio talk show host say the other day that America’s greatness and freedom was strictly because we had a strong military. I like this radio talk show host but he is dead wrong on that statement. America is safe and free not because of her military – but because America still does two things, albeit not as much as in years past – spread the gospel to the nations, and protect Israel. That’s it. A nation who spreads the gospel and allows the gospel to freely flow to its people will be blessed by God as will any nation who stands beside Israel at all costs. Our military will be no match for any nation once God takes His hand of protection and covering off of us. That’s why it’s tremendously important we pray for our governmental leaders during this time. The events of 2003 are harbingers of things to come in 2004. And with the elections about a year away Christians all over this country need to be praying NOW that God puts the right man in the office of President in November 2004.
Jude says we must contend for the faith. I want to look at how this faith and how it relates to sin.
In Romans chapters 4 and 5, Paul deals with Justification by Faith, which is in essence, tells us how that we are saved. In other words, it tells us what Jesus did at the Cross in order that the penalty of sin was addressed. In Romans 6,7, and 8, Paul deals with how the Lord dealt with the power of sin and how it is broken in the life of the believer who anchors their faith in the cross of Christ.
The Lord broke the powers of darkness at Calvary. This “faith” or way of the Cross will lead one to unparalleled victory. It will upon up the word of God to an extent we have never encountered. The Lord Jesus and His precious Holy Spirit will become more real in our lives through a greater understanding of the “faith,” Jude exhorts us to defend.
This is the way, the only way, that one can have victory over the flesh, the world and the Devil. This means that every single bad habit that one has can be laid aside with proper faith in the Finished work of Christ which will give the Holy Spirit the latititude to work in our lives and break the power of sin and death. Paul called it the “law of the spirit of life,” in Romans 8:2, which he said, would deliver us from the “law of sin and death.” EVERYONE OF US READING OR WRITING THIS JOURNAL is living under one or the other laws Paul referred to.
No, we are not saying that you can reach a place of sinless perfection. That is not scriptural. What we ARE saying is that you can find rest for your soul when the enemy attacks you or the sin nature within you seeks to cause you to disobey God. You have the power to obey the law of the Spirit, which is LIFE. The other law is a law that will bring you DEATH.
The question is asked then, “well then if this is so clear, then why do we see so many Christians in defeat?”
That is a good question and I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer it. We all, including myself, must work out our Salvation with fear and trembling. I will say this though. Satan doesn’t really care too much what a Christian does, just as long as he doesn’t obey Christ in regard to denying himself and taking up the CROSS daily.
Luke 9:23
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Entire denominations reject many ministers who are preaching the true gospel of Christ because of the preacher’s personal failings or whatever. Other people just don’t like the messenger so if the messenger is bringing truth to them that could save their life they don’t even care – they’d rather perish with false doctrine that comes from their favorite preacher.
The way I look at that is this. If the bridge is out and the man running down the street is waving a lantern frantically and telling you not to go over the bridge, you have a choice. If you don’t obey the warning because you don’t like the man waving the lantern then guess what? You’re going to die! The church argues over whether the man waving the lantern is qualified to wave it and then after they get through arguing over that they argue over what type lantern he is holding. If the lantern don’t meet their “denominational standards,” then they reject the lantern.
Neighbor that is foolishness and demonic delusion. There is a bridge out friend. Eternity is long and if you are lost and without God eternity will be one of torment and suffering instead of peace and rest in the presence of the redeemed.
Think about the Apostle Paul. Can you imagine what the first church board meeting was like with Peter and James when they heard Paul had come to the Lord on the Damascus Road. That caused quite a stir, but what caused even MORE of a stir was when Barnabas brought Paul to them and said, “He’s been given the message of the New Covenant of grace and we should receive him.” If one didn’t like Paul that was just too bad. We don’t get to pick the vessel the Lord chooses to speak sometime. The Lord had called Paul for that specific task and it was a task that the body of Christ in Jerusalem fought tooth and toenail with at first.
The Apostle fought vigorously early on in his ministry that the great message of Grace would remain unsullied. When those who were trying to project law into this message made their appearance, Paul stood up and “earnestly defended,” the faith before them! If he had kept silent we would not have had the gospel today. It would have been destroyed. And neighbor we cannot keep silent today. The gospel is under attack more so than at any other time in the church’s history since Paul’s day.
Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The fourth verse give us insight into three keys to the first Church:
Jude warns us that “certain men crept in unawares,” which refers to false teachers of the gospel. The term “crept in,” is “pareisduno” in Greek which means “to enter alongside, to get in by the side, to slip in a side door.” The rest of the phrases in this Verse tell us how they do this.
Peter said these same people brought in “damanable heresies.”
2 Peter 2:1
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
“Unawares,” gives us indication that these men profess to teach the Christian faith when in fact they deny the foundational doctrines “once delivered to the saints.”
Paul used a word in his description of these type teachers in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 when he said they “transformed” <metaschematizo – Gr.> themselves after their father, the Devil.
2 Cor. 11:13-15
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
It refers to the act of an individual changing his outward expression by assuming an expression put on from the outside, an expression that does not come from nor is it representative of what he is in his inner character. Lucifer did that after he struck at God’s throne and became the fallen angel Satan. As a fallen Angel he gave expression to his sin-darkened heart. But he knew that he could not attract the human race that way. He must impersonate God if he expected to be worshipped as God. He, therefore, assumed an outward expression of light, put on from the outside, and not representative of his inner sinful being. He disguised Himself as an “angel of light.”
2 Cor. 11:14-15
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Satan’s ministers have done the same. Using evangelical terms such as “salvation, faith, regeneration, atonement, resurrection,” they put their own private meanings upon them that negate the Biblical definition. So while they may be using the same words, they mean something completely different and in many times deliberately seek to destroy their meaning (Wuest)
The phrase “who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men,” tells us that they who would denigrate the Cross of Christ, or place it in a SUBSERVIENT position in any manner, are called by the Holy Spirit, “ungodly.” The word “condemnation,” actually means, “judgment,” and speaks of the fact that God is not pleased with these men’s activities or their doctrines. They will ultimately be judged by God for what they are doing. That is an ordained fact. The idea is here that those who seek to compromise the faith will be judged by God.
In these words we actually see why Jude was compelled to write. Ungodly men had crept in and among believers and sought to undermine the faith by their pernicious and ungodly doctrine. Paul uses a related word ”paraeisakots” of the Judaizers who had “infiltrated” Christian congregations to spy on their freedom in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
The Holy Spirit through Jude is letting us know that any efforts to counteract “the faith once delivered to the saints,” will ultimately be met with severe condemnation – i.e. “judgment.” God operates strictly on a system of FAITH, which refers to believers trusting in something HE has done, not man. That “something” here refers to what Christ did at the Cross on behalf of lost humanity. If faith and trust is placed in anything else, irrespective as to how good these other things might be, “the faith,” will be nullified.
Jude 1:4
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The phrase, “turning the grace of God into lasciviousness,” refers to the fact that “Grace” has been turned into license. Paul dealt with this problem as well. Due to the fact that Grace abounded over sin, false teachers were claiming that it didn’t really matter how much they sinned, because Grace would automatically cover it. Paul rebuked that arrogance by saying:
Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
The modern counterparts of those in Paul’s day function in several different ways. Many in the Baptist faith one might say, function in the same manner as these in Paul’s day. They claim to have faith in Christ, so the Grace of God which accompanies such faith, covers all their sins – even those they never repent of – so sin is never really a problem. In other words, there is no effort to rid themselves of sin, which means they completely ignore the 6th chapter of Romans. The truth is, most of these people have never been truly born-again. Despite their claims, they are not saved, and in fact, have never been saved. They have adopted a philosophy of Christianity, but they’ve never really known Christ face-to-face in a heart felt manner.
There are others who address the problem of sin, by claiming that the soul and the spirit are made pure and perfect at conversion and whatever happens in the realm of their physical body, has no bearing on their soul and spirit.
To that Paul replies:
2 Cor. 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
This passage clearly tells us that whatever sinfulness and filthiness takes place in our flesh also is, at the same time, taking place in our spirit.
Man is made up of body, soul and spirit.
1 Thes. 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Whatever affects one, affects the other. In other words, it’s not possible for one to sin in one’s physical body without the soul and the spirit being affected. So the contention of those who claim that their spirit is unaffected by sin is unscriptural.
These false teachers Jude addressed were not saved. While they may have once been saved, meaning they originally accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, but ceasing to believe in His Finished Work of Christ, they have gone deeper and deeper into error, and have to be judged as unsaved – i.e. “ungodly men.”
And friend, as we close this journal, that is the warning to the modern church world today. We are facing a battle for truth that none of us are exempt from. It will come down very shortly to the seed of Abel and the seed of Cain. Persecution will come to those who believe in the cross of Christ from those who do not. The Earth is still being soaked with blood even today because of this eternal conflict.
As we draw closer to the rapture, we will see this conflict increase and the battle lines get more and more pronounced. I want to be on the Lord’s side. I want Him to be pleased with what we write, with what we preach, with what we say and teach to others. Above all things though I want my heart to be pleasing in His sight so that the very gospel I am preaching to others is a gospel that has changed ME first. When that happens, then the gospel I preach is not bringing greater judgment on myself because I am preaching to others something I am not living. I pray earnestly for that as I write these words to you and God sees what I am writing.
I encourage you today to “earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.” We have an awesome responsibility as the harvest generation. David wrote in the Psalms that these things were given “for the generation that was to come,” meaning in Hebrew, “the last generation.” We are that generation!!!
We must take this mighty gospel of Christ that is so precious, pure and powerful to every creature and do it as quickly as we possibly can. It’s getting late neighbor and the winds of revival are blowing all over this world right now. Can you hear it? Do you feel it? Are you on this Holy Ghost train filled with glory that is about to pull out of the station and touch this world with the greatest move of God YET known to Planet Earth? The call is going out at this very moment by the Holy Spirit, “all aboard, all aboard, those who have tickets it’s time to get aboard.” The ‘ticket’ for this journey is the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from ALL sin.
My final thought to you today is simple. Keep the FAITH; walk in THE FAITH. Let the FAITH take grip on your heart and life today. HEED what you listen to and ask the Holy Spirit for deep discernment in these last days. Be careful of being critical and faultfinding with those who are in error. They are in error yes, but it’s our responsibility to intercede for them that they may see the light. God is neither willing nor happy when any man perishes be they a false prophet, false teacher or false brethren. He wants them to repent and turn from their error and preach His word without fear or favor. Earnestly contend for the faith – because it’s harvest time neighbor and it’s getting late.
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