Jude (Judah in Greek and Hebrew) was a brother of Jesus. He was a traveling missionary and teacher and was most likely writing to Messianic Jews--Jews that believed in Jesus.
This powerful book is short, sharp and salutary. It’s primary message is warning against false teachers. Even though some of the examples used in the writing seem odd for our time and culture, caution against false teachers is every bit as applicable now as it was then. Perhaps even more applicable.
Jude burns with passion for the purity of the faith, and he cannot bear to see it undermined. Yet he sees this happening around him. With anguish and energy Jude startles his readers into taking notice.
INVITATION: Stephen Eckert taught and challenged us to ask if our faith is a “hit single” in our lives, or if it is more like ignored background music. Sin has consequences because God is a God of justice. We cannot escape the significance of this letter to us. God’s Spirit, who inspired Jude in this letter, asks us to consider what might pervert God’s grace in our day and time. What false teachers might we be ascribing to? Do we need to wake up? Are you “keeping yourself in the love of God” in your faith journey? Are you open to hearing what the Holy Spirit may want to “startle” you with this week?
MONDAY: Jude 1:1-4 & Romans 6:1-4: The verses from Jude are, in large part, a warning against false teachers who “change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus our only Sovereign and Lord.” How do you keep your discernment front and center to be able to identify “false teachers?” Scripture (2 Corinthians) tells us the evil one masquerades as an “angel of light.” He is shrewd enough not to appear with a pitchfork and horns because if he did we would not be fooled. Are you in the Bible—God's revealed Word to us--enough to be able to know when “false teachers” show up in your life? Even though false teachers often use God’s grace as a license to sin, what do these verses from Romans suggest to you about grace and sin?
TUESDAY: Jude 1:5-9: Jude points out some of the consequences experienced by people in the past who rebelled against God. The events Jude references involve rebelling against God’s authority, engaging in sexual immorality, and rejecting God’s messengers. Could your spiritual life be subtly undermined? Do you ever have the uncomfortable feeling there is a subtle conflict going on within you? Today you are invited to prayerfully reflect on your life with God. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to name and deal with any intruders in your life that may be undermining your peace and your relationship with Jesus Christ. Ask God to show you any “false teachers” that may be speaking into your life.
WEDNESDAY: Jude 1:10-13: Jude briefly describes some of the common characteristics of false teachers and gives a succinct history lesson about people whose rebellion corrupted the lives of others (Cain, Baalam and Korah). These references go back to the Old Testament where the events are set forth in detail and which gives them more context. The imagery would have been familiar to the people living at the time of this writing. The self absorption of the false teachers Jude is warning about betrays their claims of being followers of Jesus. And their teaching caused chaos all around them. Chaos. Is this something you find in your life? What about within yourself? Could your lifestyle and your belief system be at odds with each other? False teachers lead others astray and attempt to justify sin and rebellion by evoking sentiments like, “It’s only natural.” False teachers today often rebrand God to fit our Western culture. How do you tend to your faith and the truth revealed in God’s Word in your daily life?
THURSDAY: Jude 1:14-16: Jude repeats warnings about false teachers, and uses the word “grumblers and faultfinders.” Could these words describe your attitude in life and with others? What about this: “…they follow their own evil desires and boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.” Is that convicting to you? If you feel any conviction, perhaps now is a good time to talk to the Lord about all this. He stands ready willing and able to live THROUGH us so our lives can begin to look and sound differently.
FRIDAY: Jude 1:17-19: Jude reminds his audience that the disciples and Jesus (obviously examples more current to his readers than the Old Testament events he references) warned against false teachers who corrupt the message of God. These “…are the men who divide you…” Do you think there are people in our culture who seek to divide? How might you protect yourself - heart, mind and soul - from such people?
SATURDAY: Jude 1:20-25: Jude instructs his audience (and us) to deal with all these false teachers by contending for the faith. These verses suggest this is done by: 1) building yourself up in faith; 2) praying in the Holy Spirit; 3) Keeping yourself in the love of God. Take these 3 suggestions to prayer today. What is the Spirit of God telling you or showing you? Do you sense an invitation from God regarding any (or all) of these?
Does this week’s teaching seem overwhelming and even impossible? Jude reminds us in verses 24-25 that it is CHRIST who is able to do all these things through us. We have His power living within us. How will you utilize that power this week?