Lessons from Jude (2)
Tracking with my thoughts from yesterday. Jude begins an entire chapter on people who believe in what we call today hyper-grace. Starting with verse 5
5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord[c] at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
If we begin to believe that we have been forgiven and we can live as we choose, Jude wants everyone to remember that God has a pattern of dealing with people who failed to walk a holy life.
First, the Israelites who God delivered by the ten plagues on Egypt failed to abide by the ways of God. They continued to live by complaining, turning their backs on God’s ways, and blaming everyone else for their issues. God’s response? Kill everyone who was old enough to make adult decisions.
This is in contrast to the “God loves me, he won’t send me to hell” gospel. God requires holiness, a sanctified life is what God’s grace was for. Grace which is God’s power working on you to DO something…is intended for you to have the ability to walk uprightly before him.
Second, the Angels from chapter 6 who failed to do what? Maintain holiness…holiness means commited wholly to God. When they decided to pursue their own desires, they automatically become unholy. God’s response? Bound in chains in darkness until judgment day when they’ll be sent to a burning lake of fire….. Loving God.
Third, we have Sodom and Gomorrah a lesson in walking in sin. Again, the curse from God is destruction….
Three examples Jude gives his readers of beings failing to live by Godly principles. Three times destruction is the result. Jude tells his readers, if we waste the blood of Jesus Christ and walk out of a prison cell because he forgave us, only to continue to sin…God will execute the same consistent, righteous judgment as he has historically.
Jude is using the fact that God is the same forever, and his judgments will always be consistent…
We fail to administer the Fear of YHWH into our repentance messages…we fail to tell people that while salvation is free, holiness is costly….and the cost is yourself. You can die to yourself and walk holy, or die to Him because you failed to adhere to the warnings being given.
