◄ What Does Jude 1:7 Mean? ►

It should be a joy for every Christian to rejoice together in the simple message of salvation, by grace through faith in the death, burial, and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It was the uncomplicated message of redemption that Jude planned to share with fellow believers in Christ, when he started to pen his epistle. Jude simply wanted to gossip the gospel with like-minded saints. He wanted to rejoice in the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting, by faith in Christ.

But the Body of Christ had been slowly and stealthily infiltrated by certain vulgar individuals who were denying the efficacy of the blood of Christ, and adversely influencing the faith of others.

And so Jude wanted to remind his fellow believers of the fate of those people who deny the truth of the gospel and blaspheme the name of the Lord, with their satanically inspired lies.

He reminded them of the terrible fate of corrupt cities in the time of Abraham. Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding cities, were all destroyed by fire and brimstone because they rejected the truth of God's Word. They indulged in gross immorality which the Bible outlines.

Not only were these cities an abomination to the Lord because of their perverted sexual behaviours, but they went after strange flesh. The men of the city even lusted after the two angels who entered the city to save Lot and his family from the judgement which was about to fall.

When a person, nation, or faction of society becomes so degenerate, God not only gives them over to their evil pursuits, but finally destroys them by the breath of His righteous judgement.

Jude used Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities around them as a warning to all who choose to turn the grace of our God into lewdness, by denying the shed blood of Christ for the forgiveness of their sin. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, stand as an example of the punishment of eternal fire that awaits those corrupt individuals who indulge in ungodly perversions and reject the Lord of glory.

The destruction of these cities was an example of the fate of all unbelievers who willingly turn away from God, deny His grace, refuse the truth, and ignore His warnings of the judgement to come.

Jude's warning of heresy, apostasy, and the subtle infiltration of the Church by false teachers who deceptively creep into churches, deny the Lord Who bought them, and peddle a false, watered-down, feel-good, unbiblical gospel, has morphed into an apology for what is termed 'Christendom' today.

The serious warning that Jude shared in his little epistle, should be taken to heart by everyone that is sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The best way to recognise a false teaching is to know the truth. The safest way to earnestly contend for the faith is to read, mark, learn, inwardly digest, and earnestly apply the Word of God in every area of life – as led by the Holy Spirit of His dear Son.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the serious warning of apostasy and heretical teaching that is so pervasive today. Help me to know the truth and recognise any false teachers and teachings that have crept into the flock, unnoticed. Protect Your people from those that would seek to shipwreck the faith of believers and open the eyes of those that are lost and facing eternal separation from You and punishment in the fires of judgement. In Jesus' name, AMEN.