Most of us have seen on TV shows or in the movies when a fireman goes into a burning building to rescue a person who is trapped inside, the flames hindering a safe escape. The fireman rushes in to grab the trapped person, snatching them up and rushing out as the flames surround them and the burning beams start to crash down. These rescues happen in real life, and they occasionally happen in people’s spiritual lives, as well. In our Scripture passage today, we read that God has called us to be a type of spiritual fireman, rescuing those who are on the brink of hell. Let’s look into our passage from the Book of Jude.
Our Scripture today begins with a reminder that the apostles of the early church warned the coming generations, (which would include us today), of apostates entering into the church with their false teachings (vs. 17-19). An apostate is someone who has turned away from sound, Biblical doctrine, and instead believes false or heretical teachings, or believes nothing at all. Throughout every generation, from the times of the apostles on through today, there have been those who have spread false teachings. Paul warned Timothy of this in II Timothy 3:1-9, and warned other early church leaders in Acts 20:29-30. Peter also warned us of this in II Peter 3:3.
Jude called these people “mockers”. We see a lot of mockers of the Bible today. They claim that God’s Word is not true and is not divinely inspired. Even within some denominations we see some preachers claim that the Bible might contain some of God’s Word but that not all of it is inspired, which is false and heretical teaching. Jude, Paul, and Peter each warn us to beware of these people. These mockers especially scoff at God’s future plans as laid out in the Bible. They pretend to know the truth, but deny that judgment will ever come. Mockers in the world today ridicule genuine faith in Jesus and those who believe the Bible.
Scripture warns us that these apostate teachers claim to have great spiritual knowledge, but are instead very worldly and ungodly (vs. 19). These apostates have separated themselves from those who teach solid Biblical truth. They fracture the true church and believers, rather than unite them. Jude warns that they do not have the Holy Spirit. If one doesn’t have the Holy Spirit, then one is not saved. We need to beware of revisionist teachings of Scripture, that replace sound doctrine with human doctrines (II Timothy 4:3-4). They can be highly deceptive, so be careful to check every teaching against Scripture (Colossians 2:8; Acts 17:10-11).
After warning us, God, through His servant Jude, gives true believers some instructions (vs. 20-23). True believers have a sure foundation in Jesus Christ. We need to consistently pray that we stay firm and true on that Biblical foundation, being obedient and faithful, eagerly awaiting the Second Coming of Jesus.
Jude then urges us to try and witness to those who have fallen away into false teaching, and to lead them back into the truth (vs. 22-23). Some of these are sincere doubters who deserve compassion, but need to be properly instructed. Then there are those who are deeper into unbelief. These need to be rescued before they become further entrenched on the road to hell. They need to be snatched from the fire that awaits them, just like a fireman does a trapped victim. There are also the outspoken apostates, those who are thoroughly polluted by false teachings, who still need to be rescued. They need to be handled with care and fear so that we do not also get spiritually tainted.
Scripture here says we are to hate the sin that they are in. We should have no love or sympathy for the sin, but have love and mercy for the sinner. In doing that, though, don’t fall into compromise with the sin or the sinner. We are to influence them for Christ. Don’t allow them to influence us to sin.
Our Scripture passage ends with a magnificent benediction (vs. 24-25). Jesus is able to keep us, through His Word, from falling into apostasy. It is ultimately not through our own efforts that we remain on our feet as we walk in this world. It is God’s power that keeps us standing. We are eternally secure. But others, those who follow the world, will come to a day when they will take a step and find out there is nothing to support them, and they will fall. Let us follow Jude’s example and put on our fire gear, rush into the flames, and try to rescue the perishing, snatching them from sin.
No comments:
Post a Comment