Destroyed And Imprisoned

Jude 5-7

Now Jude is going to compare these false teachers to others in the past who also followed wrong paths and faulty thinking processes, and their end. 

(5) Now I desire to remind you, though you once knew all this, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 

First he mentions the children of Israel that God performed many great miracles for, in delivering them out of slavery and providing for all their needs in the desert; how they refused to trust Him and follow Him, and all died in the desert, never seeing the land that was promised to them. 

(6) And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great Day, 

We don't know a lot about these angels, but some scholars have linked this passage with Genesis 6 that tells of "sons of God" who "saw the daughters of men" and produced children who were "men of renown," and "giants" (Genesis 6: 1-4). So these could have been angelic beings who left their heavenly domain to come to the Earth instead, and diluted the human DNA, to change the purity of what God designed. 

Then God called out Noah, because he was "a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6: 9). So Noah worshipped God, and his lineage was not polluted with the mixture that was spreading. 

And these angels are imprisoned in darkness, held by eternal chains. They are not the demons who follow our adversary, who roams the Earth "seeking someone to devour" (I Peter 5: 8). 

(7) just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 

This story is in Genesis 19: 18-29. Jude says that these false teachers that have wormed their way into the church are just like those men of Sodom and Gomorrah who indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh. 

The gross immorality was their lifestyle of sensuality, seeking physical relationships with anything other than God's design, including everything imaginable. And when the angels came, they wanted this new experience, too. So they went after strange flesh. 

This is so twisted that it turns God's stomach, and He destroyed that whole plain so that these evil ideas would not spread. They are given to us as an example of the righteousness of God in justly dealing with all evil. 

Jude is very serious with his readers, that they understand that the false teachers that are sneaking into the congregations of the church need to be recognized for what they are doing, and dealt with, to not pollute the purity of the gospel of Christ. 

God is very serious about His message, and He will not fail to punish everyone who rejects Him and lives ungodly lives, teaching others to do the same evil that they indulge in. 

We also need to be serious about examining our leaders and teachers, to make sure that they don't deviate from God's Truth. To be able to do that, we need to know God's Truth. Then we will recognize whatever doesn't conform to it as counterfeit. 

We can't just listen to a sermon and assume it's all right. We as members of the congregation must look at the Scriptures, and see that our pastors and teachers are not taking them out of context. 

We need to do our own studies, also, so we will be able to see what conforms and what does not conform to the whole story God gives us there. This is our personal responsibility as children of God. 

God loves us, and wants us to know Him. Our enemy doesn't want us to know God, so he sends in his lackeys to disguise themselves as "ministers of righteousness" to draw people away from God (see II Corinthians 11: 14-15). 

O my Father, You are so good to give us Your written Word to study and research and understand and know; and to know that we can trust You for what we don't understand. 

Teach us, Father; lead us into Your Truth, guide us all into a more complete understanding of what You want us to know. We want to know You, Father, and to know Your ways. 

We want to follow Your ways, and to not be turned away to the right or to the left, to not wander away or fall into a ditch, to not run ahead of You or lag behind. Keep our hand in Yours to follow in Your footsteps, until we reach the end of the road, into Your eternal Day! 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King of all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!

Quiet Infiltrators

Jude 4

For certain persons 

These are specific people. 

have crept in unnoticed, 

These specific people have quietly infiltrated the congregation and insinuated their ideas subtly into the life of the church.

those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, 

These are people who it has been written out before ages past that they would be judged and condemned for their crimes.

ungodly persons 

They are impious, the word is often used for notorious sinners.

who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness 

They demean the graciousness of God into a loose morality that makes light of moral depravity. 

and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 

Their attitudes and lifestyles run counter to the commands of Christ, denying His sovereignty and lordship over them.

This is very strong language against these interlopers, which explains Jude's urgency to write about them. 

Even today there are still people who go to churches in order to disrupt the congregation, to slip errors into the doctrines of the church, and promote acceptance of ungodly lifestyles. 

There are whole denominations that have "gone off the rails" in their teachings. 

This is one of the signs of the last days, and it has been going on now for centuries. 

O my Father, thank You for Your Word, telling us all that we are to look out for, and what to expect as the days and years and centuries pass. Each moment brings closer the time of the Lord's return. 

Please open our eyes to see what is going on around us, to recognize the signs of the last days, and the imminent return of our sovereign King. Help us to number our days, so that we might apply our hearts to Your wisdom, Father, in dealing with the times we face. We need to discern how to use our days, that our work will promote Your Kingdom and not let any moments slip away useless. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! 




 

Compelled By Urgency

Jude 1-3

(1) Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

Jude calls himself a slave of Jesus, and a brother of James. This James must be a very well-known person among the Christians to just be named without any qualifiers. The most well-known was James the brother of the Lord who was the leader of the church in Jerusalem. Jesus' brothers (named in Mark 6:3) didn't believe in Him until after His resurrection, but were with the apostles in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2: 13-14). So this Jude is also the brother of the Lord.

to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 

This letter is to Christians, generally. Not to any specific area, but for all Christians, and us, too. 

(2) May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

This is typical of the greeting that was customary in ancient letters. Mercy is God's compassion in refraining from pouring His justly deserved wrath upon us, peace is His gift of quiet confidence in the work of Jesus, and His Love gives us His generosity in granting us His favors and meeting our needs. 

(3) Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.

Jude says that he wanted to write about all the good and wonderful things God has done for us, but because of circumstances, he was compelled by an urgency to warn them (and us) to be ready to fight the battle to preserve the true faith. 

This is a short, one-chapter letter, but it contains very serious warnings that we need to pay attention to. 

O my Father, thank You for sending Your own Son to be our Lord and Savior. Thank You for placing Him in a family with brothers and sisters, and for using the members of His family in the writing of Your Word. 

Father, help us to pay attention to Jude's warnings, and to recognize the people in our world today who we need to avoid. 

Teach us to contend for the Truth that we are to believe and trust, and not allow any deceptions to dilute the power of Your Word. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King of all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! 




 

Our Battle In The War

Ephesians 6: 18-24

Now that we are wearing our armor, it's time to go to war. 

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for the saints, 

We are to go to battle in calling on God to help and strengthen and teach and provide and do all the things He promised to do for us, not allowing ourselves to be distracted or diverted from surrounding the saints with God's protection and healing. 

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel, 
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Even Paul needs prayer! He's in prison, or at least, house arrest, constantly chained to guards. But he is able to write, and have people minister to his needs. I find it interesting that he is requesting prayer for boldness to open his mouth with the Gospel! Isn't that what he's been doing constantly in his travels? I wonder what is intimidating him? No matter who we are or what we've done, our enemy is still nipping at our heels! 

But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. 

He doesn't want them to worry about him, so he's having Tychicus bring this letter to them, then he'll be there to tell them all the details of Paul's circumstances and how God is carrying him through.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This is a common blessing often given in various figurations. But then he ends with something interesting.

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love. 

The last word Paul uses in this epistle is en aphtharsia, which means "in incorruptness," and the noun denotes a quality of the future life. The adjective means "imperishable" or "unfading." To pair this idea with "love" may be related to the phrase, all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and suggests that we are even now living the eternal life that will never fade, because we are sealed with the Holy Spirit for the Day of Redemption (1: 13-14; 4: 30).

Paul ends this letter with the same idea he started it with. He began with us "in the heavenly realms" (1:3), and now he finishes it with us there. 

God sees the end from the beginning, and He finishes what He started. So Paul has written to the Ephesians to encourage them (and us) to live now in this world as citizens of the next, availing ourselves of all the advantages and accoutrements we need to grow into the adult sons and daughters of the King. 

Spiritually we are already in the heavenly realms, even though physically we're still here on the Earth. We need to renew our minds to think as heavenly citizens who are on assignment in this foreign country as ambassadors of our King. 

O my Father, please help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which You have called us (4:1), to walk as children of light (5: 8), making the most of of our time (5: 16). Father, grow each of us up in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18), and bind us together in the bond of Your Spirit of Peace into Christ's one body. 

Then together we will attain to the unity of the faith, and grow up into the stature of the mature man which will be to the full measure of the fullness of Christ (4: 13). 

O Father, fill up Your house with Your uncountable children! Fill every place at Your great Banquet Table, and we will enjoy sweet fellowship forever with You and one another, without end! 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Christ Jesus is our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King of the Universe; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

To Stand Firm

Ephesians 6: 10-17

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 

We need to be spiritually strong to stand against our enemy, the world around us, and our own flesh. 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 

We need every piece, in order to stand firm, with no cracks or vulnerabilities.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

This suggests a whole hierarchy of supernatural evil beings, all arrayed against us. 

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, 

We need the full suit, every part, no piece can be left out, it must be complete.

so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 

To be able to stand our ground when the onslaught of evil pours down on us, and having overcome, to remain standing in victory. 

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with Truth, 

Your loins refers to your waist-to-knees portion of your body, to protect your most private and vulnerable parts; safeguarding your chastity and purity. The first step in putting on this armor. And the belt is the holster for all the tools of battle to hang from as well. It is the foundation of the whole suit of armor. Truth is that important. Whatever does not conform to Truth is deceptive.

and having put on the breastplate of Righteousness (Isaiah 59: 17), 

This covers your full chest area, to ensure that your heart is filled with right attitudes in order to protect your feelings and emotions.

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace (Isaiah 52: 7); 

We must prepare ourselves to run with the Good News that brings peace. 

in addition to all, taking up the shield of Faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

The Roman shield was made in layers that would catch, secure, and extinguish flaming arrows before they could do any harm. Our shield will catch and put out the flames of the logical and believable lies our enemy throws at us. Believing God shows us the deception of whatever is not true.

And take the helmet of Salvation (Isaiah 59: 17), 

Our brain is our base of operations of our whole body, which must be surrounded by the protection of God's deliverance from all that falls short of His perfect ways.

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 

This is our only offensive weapon, all the rest are defensive. Our sword is double-edged and razor-sharp, a very dangerous tool. We need to wield it very carefully, skillfully, and wisely. We need to train in it, regularly, to attain the precision of a brain-surgeon. 

Jesus used the Word in response to the tempter, and the tempter also quoted Scripture. So we need the Holy Spirit's direction to out-wit our enemy as Jesus did. 

This armor God provides for me is very strong and impenetrable, yet light of weight and resilient of movement; it fits me perfectly and comfortably, as it was custom-made by my Father for me. As yours is for you. 

O my Father, thank You for providing armor to wear in the war against evil. Please help us put on Your armor every day as Your soldiers. We need You to strengthen us, and to teach us how to use each piece with skill and precision. To win the battles and gain the victories. 

Every eye shall see, every knee shall bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus Christ is our Lord God Almighty, King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!

God's Order At Work

Ephesians 6: 5-9 

Now Paul goes on to the final personal relationship people have. We don't condone slavery today, the owning of persons as property to do the work, we hire employees. So we can apply these principles to our relationships in the work world. 

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, 

Today we would say, Employees, do what makes your boss look good at work.

with fear and trembling, 

Respecting them, giving them the credit for what is accomplished.

in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. 

Honestly, not a put-on, but sincerely wanting to do what will benefit the whole company, regardless of who gets the credit, just as you would if your boss was Jesus, because He is.

With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 

Do your job to the best of your ability, as though you're working for Christ and His Kingdom, not just the company you work for. 

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. 

Because we know that whatever we do for the Kingdom, we're sending on ahead, and we will reap the benefits there. And it doesn't make any difference whether we are the boss or the worker, we're all working for Christ. 

And masters, do the same things to them,

Have the same attitude that you are administering the Lord's business, and He has given you your employees to walk with you in your service to the Lord. 

and give up threatening, 

Don't be hard on them, treat them as valuable assets, brothers and sisters in the Lord, encouraging them to do their tasks, showing them the benefits of doing right. 

knowing that both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Keep in mind that God set up the order of authority, and no matter where He put you on the ladder, there are those both above and below you, but you are all valuable, all on the same ladder, all walking the same path of Righteousness, and all precious in His sight. 

I have been both the boss and the employee at different times, but I am the same person, at different stages of development. And those both above me and below me in responsibility, I must see as just as precious to the Lord as I am, and I am to serve them and lead them to the best of the ability I have been able to attain so far in my walk. 

The family and work responsibilities we have been given sometimes seem to require more of us than we think we have to give, and they are. God does not expect us to fulfill His will in our own strength, because He knows we are but flesh.

That's why He gave us His Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God in us teaches us, informs us, molds us, strengthens us, and enables us to supernaturally live our lives each day, obeying those who are above us, and humbly leading those who are following us.

O my Father, thank You for Your Spirit to live in us. Thank You for telling us and showing us the right ways to think about life and our relationships, to see things and people the way You see them, according to the order of authority You established, and to help one another in our journeys along the path of life. 

Father, continue to teach me how to be the daughter of the King You designed me to be. Continue to help me learn and practice the good and proper things to do and accomplish each day to obey You according to Your will for me. 

Help me to redeem the time, and to use every resource You have given me to further Your Kingdom, as Your worker, Lord.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 




 

Raising Our Children

Ephesians 6: 1-5 

Now Paul goes on the the other family relationship, with the children. 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 

Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the Earth. 

The only commandment God gives to children is to learn to obey their parents. And He even gives them a promise with it, to encourage them. 

When children learn at a young age to do what they are told by their parents, immediately, without complaint; this is the foundation that will ground their whole lives. They will be ready to also obey their teachers, their bosses at work, the police officers directing traffic, the laws of the land. They will not get into trouble, and they will be able to get along with others. So their life will go well, and they can live a long life.

And they will also be able to obey God who they can't see. This is the most important.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

Fathers, and by extension, mothers, are the first teachers children have in life, and they are not to be harsh or aggravating to their children, but gentle and considerate, and firm and consistent. They know their children better than anyone else (except God, of course), and can temper their teachings to each child's temperament. 

The father and the mother each have things to teach their children, as well as demonstrating a godly relationship for them. A spiritually healthy home will produce spiritually healthy children. This is God's plan for the family. 

The family is the first target of our enemy, because it is the foundation of our very society, our civilization itself. Because he hates us, and only wants to steal, kill and destroy (John 10: 10). So he attacks the foundation so that the whole structure will fall. 

But as Christians, we must raise our children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. 

O my Father, please be with us as parents, to be Christ to our own children. Show us how to teach each child according to his or her temperament, and to draw them gently into godliness and good citizenship in the society in which we live. 

Help us to grow them into good witnesses for You, and send us all out into the world to let every living being hear of Your wonderful Love, and how You have already met all of our needs. 

And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Christ Jesus is our Lord God Almighty, King of all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!