The brief book of Jude was written by a man who wanted to write a positive treatise on salvation, but found himself driven to write the N.T.’s strongest condemnation of false teachers and teachings. Jude identifies himself as the brother of James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the early church. His letter is a stern warning regarding false teachers and Jude looks back history to show that God punishes the wicked and perverse (vs.5-7), and that, therefore, He will surely punish those arrogant false teachers who reject authority and approach spiritual realities with no more understanding than brute beasts (vs.8-10).
Jude uses 3 models for false teachers:
- Cain’s offering to God was rejected, and he turned his anger against his brother Abel and killed him. False teachers are rebels who have no concern for true believers, but are delighted to do them harm.
- Balaam was a seer hired by a hostile king to curse Israel. Although forbidden to go by God, Balaam was driven by his passion for wealth. He could not curse God’s people, but he did suggest they be corrupted sexually and religiously by their enemy. Balaam got his pay, but was killed shortly afterwards.
- Korah rebelled against God’s instructions concerning how He was to be worshiped. He and others tried to force their way into a position of spiritual leadership for which they were not qualified and were destroyed by fire from God.
Jude concludes his letter by stating that the best way to resist false teachers is to continue growing in the faith, to live in God’s love, and to show mercy and concern for those who doubt (vs.20-23). Jude’s closing doxology expresses his complete confidence in God (vs.24-25).
***
Questions:
Jude’s denunciation of false teachers is blunt and powerful – is this how we should challenge false teachers today?
How do we continue to grow in faith?
Do we have the same confidence in God as Jude, that He is able to keep us from falling?
Prayer:
Lord, help me to continually grow in my faith and love for you and others. Amen.