As some move away from 2000 years of traditional Christianity, does Jude have anything to say? Would the author approve or disapprove of such progressive theology? Was our faith meant to move on from what the Apostles wrote in the New Testament? Purpose: Let’s see if Jude gives us some help. Plan: We will examine Jude and his opinion of the faith delivered to us.
Who was Jude
Jude was probably the younger brother of James, president of the Jerusalem council and therefore a younger half-brother of our Lord. Without further evidence, the Protestant idea of Jude being younger makes sense. This is contrary to Catholic and Orthodox tradition that his father Joseph was a widow with older sons and a younger Christ was Mary’s only son. During His infancy, when Joseph and Mary left for Egypt, there is no biblical mention at all of any older step-brothers. Of course, the Bible does not give every detail, and anything is possible. What is universally understood is that Jesus’ half or step brothers only came to faith after Christ’s resurrection.
Contend for the Faith
Jude 3 says, “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.” The words “contend earnestly” imply that we fight as well as build (Nehemiah 4:16-18). This faith ought not be watered down as society changes. Outward cultural trappings may change, but the faith does not. The NASB correctly translates the Greek term “once for all.” In this context the word “faith” is used collectively of God’s will and includes the full revelation of Scripture. The law (OT) is interpreted in the spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6). The NT is in the spirit and doesn't need reinterpreting.
Turning Grace into Licentiousness
Jude 4 says, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Then it was knowledge-worshiping Gnosticism and sexually-immoral Nicolaism. Today it is the arrogance and sexual perversions of our culture. Exciting preaching does not necessarily mean good preaching. Good preaching is faithful preaching. One example is carrying “non-judgmentalism” to the extreme of confusing grace with condoning sexually immoral behavior. In so doing ungodly people contradict the authority of both God the Father and God the Son in heaven to decide such matters.
Fallen Angels
Jude 6 says, “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”. Some angels abandoned their heavenly home and their authority-limits and became demons, metaphorically confined by chains and darkness until judgment day. What a fall from glory, to be dissatisfied with their beautiful place in heaven, to now live in the figurative darkness of this world, like condemned prisoners awaiting their doom! As these rebellious angels were not satisfied with how they were made, some people are not satisfied with their gender or other God-given roles in church and society.
Gross Immorality
Jude 7 says, “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…” Some say Sodom's sins were only pride, gluttony, laziness, and ignoring the poor (Ezekiel 16:47-49). But don’t stop there. Also read verse 50, and don’t forget the attempted homosexual gang-rape of the angelic guests and Lot’s twisted response (Genesis 19:4-13). Among things God calls abominations is men lying with men (Leviticus 18:22). Sodom also had other sexual sins. Husband and wife are considered one flesh (Genesis 2:22-24), so the “strange flesh” would be the sin of adultery.
Clouds without Water
Jude 12 says, “These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted”. The phrase “These are” is said three times beginning here. For example, the Nicolaitans had perverted the Christian love feast into orgies. The love feast was an early Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with His disciples. Libertines turned Christian rites into sin, pampering themselves, clouds without water, inflated and empty, carried by every wind or fad, trees without spiritual fruit, and twice dead, an allusion to the second death.
Wild Waves
Jude 13 says, “wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.” “Wild waves” indicate instability of both doctrine and temperament, and “casting up their own shame” seems reminiscent of those who parade their sins in public with pride (Isaiah 57:20). Wandering stars or planets, do not stay put, as denominations and individuals who are not satisfied with the authority of the Apostles and their writings and thus “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” Black darkness reserved forever is one of several metaphors for hell and warns where this leads.
Following their Lusts
Jude 16 says, “These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.” The second “These are” describes grumblers and complainers, perhaps an allusion to Israel’s complaining in the wilderness. This is different than a faithful Christian who might complain in prayer but say not my will but yours. These grumblers and complainers are pushing because they want to follow after their own lusts and complain if we dare quote the Bible. Their speech is arrogant and flattering. King James uses the term “great swelling words” not spoken with sincerity, but insincere flattery for applause, popularity and selfish advantage.
Ungodly Lusts
Jude 18 alludes to several other sources saying, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” (Acts 20:29; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3; 2 Peter 3:3) We are familiar with those who mock or scoff at Christianity in our time. Those who mock the narrow path of scripture call for inclusiveness, which really means to include licentious lifestyles. This misses the point that holiness demands exclusivity. The popular mockery of judgment to come is part of the delusion of those who want to grant greater inclusion rather than diligently follow the difficult and narrow way (Matthew 7:14).
Worldly-Minded
Jude 19-21 says, “These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.” This final “These are” shows Jude reminding us of where division really is, those who divide themselves from Jesus and the authority of the Apostles. They are sensual, perhaps even sensitive and caring souls, delusionally defining love as inclusion and non-judgmentalism. Yet, allowing or encouraging people to remain in their sins and on the road to hell is not love.
Have Mercy on Some
Jude 22-23 says, “And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.” Rather than jump ship and run away from our responsibility, Jude encourages us to dive in and seek to save those who will listen. Love the sinner, hate the sin is certainly an appropriate understanding of Jude’s words. Love shows mercy while trying to save some from this heresy. There are several kinds of people described here, ranging those who will not listen and should be given stern warning, to those who may listen to compassionate words.
Conclusion
Every generation of Christians faces heresy of some kind or other. Every denomination contains some heresy. That’s the value of studying the Bible. Throughout history it has been the anchor which takes us back to “the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.”
Jude; Nehemiah 4:16-18; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ezekiel 16:47-49; Genesis 19:4-13; Leviticus 18:22; Genesis 2:22-24; Isaiah 57:20; Acts 20:29; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3; 2 Peter 3:3; Matthew 7:14
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
