Simply teaching the Bible, simply

Jude wanted to write a letter of encouragement, but found himself compelled by the Holy Spirit to write a letter of warning. As Jesus had foretold in Matthew 13, 'tares' had grown up in the early Christian church and there was a very real danger the true wheat would become entangled and, as a result, fail to produce the harvest they were called to. Jude writes to warn that God does not just sit idly by when people turn from walking in His statutes.

Sadly, this was not a one-time only event, and as Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:1, 'in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils'.  Jude's message is as much for today as it was for the early church.

In verses 5, 6 and 7, Jude gives three examples to 'put us in remembrance' that we can remove ourselves from God's blessing, and just as with the Prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), we can forfeit our inheritance. Being 'saved' is not the cue to sit on our laurels and not care about how we live, although our salvation is secure in Christ, there is still much at stake.

Just as in Jude's first example of the Children of Israel, they were saved from the bondage of Egypt (analogous to our live in bondage to sin before we came to Christ), but then the entire generation that left Egypt failed to receive the inheritance God had promised on account of their unbelief. They were all destroyed by God in the wilderness over the next 38 years.

Chuck Missler, in his book, The Kingdom, Power & Glory states: "What we do ‘after we have been born again’ affects our role, position, place & authority in the coming Millennial Kingdom. This kingdom is not heaven, but a literal, physical kingdom on earth where Jesus will reign for 1000 years. We acknowledge this kingdom, but don’t know the criteria required to inherit it. The truth “that not only our “rewards,” but our place of responsibility in that kingdom is being determined now; thus, there is an urgent need for a renewed recognition of our personal accountability. We must learn to be “partakers of Christ’s Life”– these are called “overcomers” or “faithful ones”.  Overcoming means “victory over hostile powers.” Jesus is the real Overcomer. The only way we become an overcomer is by yielding ourselves to Him. Overcomers are not ‘perfect;’ they are just ones who make the right choices to go God’s way. David is an example: All believers will enter the kingdom; but only overcomers will inherit that kingdom (Heb.3:14; Rom.8:17; Matt.24:43, 47). Overcomers” (the faithful ones) will rule and reign there; the “overtaken” will simply dwell there (Rev.21:7; Matt.7:21). The deciding factor is how we live our lives here."

To read more visit: https://www.calvaryportsmouth.co.uk/sermons/jude-vs-6-7/