Jude 4 – For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Remembering that in V3 Jude had intended to write a letter to encourage and uplift the saints, but instead, the Lord directed him to write a letter of correction against heretical lies against the doctrines of our faith. So Jude, desiring to please God above pleasing men, followed where the Spirit led.
He writes about certain people who long ago, since before time and creation, were known by God as those who would come to desecrate the grace of God through Jesus our Lord. God knew these people would come then, as they had before, and as they do now. Hasn’t the Lord always known of those who would reject or pervert the grace He so freely gives to those who will come? And hasn’t God always known who will come? (Romans 8:29, 11:12, 1 Peter 1:2) Throughout history God has known those who are used by the enemy to introduce heresies and He has never been surprised by these people, and He has never already had the condemnation of them not already prepared. God is always ready as He has had men such as Jude prepared to give His response for lies that always arise like weeds among the vegetables.
The condemnation that Jude writes of is something that comes after a deed. It is judgement for deeds done. As the Lord gives rewards for those who do His good will, so He likewise judges those who do evil and gives them the due consequences of their actions. (Galatians 6:7-8) God had declared that those who violate, who desecrate His ways, will be those who will be condemned. It is not as if these men hadn’t and haven’t been warned, it is not as if they hadn’t had a choice. Instead, these men were warned, as Adam was warned, that consequences follow disobedience. They purposely disobeyed and therefore had chosen their future. All who purposely sin know that punishment follows. Law breakers know the risk, sinners know the risk. So the promise of punishment for doing evil follows their choice to do so. Only by knowing Jesus as both Savior and Lord can the punishment for sin be taken away. Obedience to God manifests the love of God and of being a member of the family of God. Those who disdain His grace, those who purposely dishonor it, are no recipients of it.
Today, as during all times since Jesus ascended, selfish people who wish only themselves well at the harm of the fold, have snuck in amongst us. Many call themselves pastors or other lofty titles while they are indeed wolves in among the sheep. (Matthew 7:15) Jesus has called to be aware and discerning.
Jude does not mix his words. He knows the truth and stands strongly upon it. Those who alter, take away from or add to the Word of God are headed on a path to hell. (Revelation 22:18-19, Proverbs 30-5-6, Deuteronomy 12:32) These are those who come and disgrace the work of Christ by saying that obedience is not necessary because grace through Jesus has paid the full price (antinomianism). They ignore that Jesus said that those who love Him will obey Him (John 14:15). The Apostle Paul wrote “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (Hebrews 10:26-27) It certainly is true that Christ died for all of our sins. It is also true that those who don’t appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus and so willfully reject His holy ways, His way of holiness and love, do not love Him and so do not belong to Him (1 John 4:19-21).
If we love Jesus, we obey Him. If we obey Him, it is because He lives within us and His love is what determines all our actions, words and attitudes. More of Jesus means more of love and less of sin. Less of Jesus means less love and more sin. It is what is in our hearts that shows who we belong to. If the world rules, than our lives will reflect that. If the Lord shines through, then it is Jesus who sits on the throne within us. So let us cling to the pure truth of the Word of God as led by the Spirit. It is in God alone we trust and whom we follow. Our reward is sure, and Family, our reward is increasingly soon. Stay strong and always praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”