lessons from Jude (5)

Jude, in his brutal annihilation of those who continue to live for themselves after salvation does not let up….

12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

Let’s just say that Jude would not be called a seeker-friendly pastor.

To those who continue to live as though they had never been saved, to the Pastors who only feed themselves…living indulgent lives while the sheep starve…to those who say all the right ‘christian’ things but bear no fruit.

Jude says that even Enoch prophesied that Jesus is coming to judge those and convict them of their sins….What sins? grumbling, complaining, following your own desires, flattering words, boasting (lack of humility)

Most people in churches do believe that ungodly people will be judged. Most truly believe in a hell. But where everyone differentiates is in WHO will go there.

These people, the complainers, churchgoers who bear fruit, pastors living lavishly at the expense of the sheep and those abusing God’s grace… These are the ones who Jude says are in trouble.

We have no problem condemning the sin of those who are in adultery, or worship other gods, or murder, or sexual deviants, but Jude wrote an entire book on those who continue to live without the holiness, and sanctification that is required by a Holy God.

It isn’t pretty. We are quick to condemn those other than ourselves, but we need to heed ourselves… judgment could be coming for a visit.