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Bible Pathways 12/22/2003


December 22

Read II John 1 -- Jude 1

In Today's Reading:

The commandment to love; warning against deceivers; Diotrephes rebuked; judgment on false teachers

In his brief but very important letter to all believers, Jude wrote: It was needful for me to write to you, and exhort (urge) you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares . . . ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and (this is) denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Woe to them! (Jude 1:3-4,11). To earnestly contend for the faith implies not only the necessity of believing that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, but that it alone is the final Word on all doctrine (II Timothy 3:16).

There is a superficial and deceptive unity being promoted today by some who have joined hands with religions that reject Jesus of Nazareth as the Only Lord God, and our Savior Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4). Other religions deny either the total deity or the total humanity of Jesus. Some assume there is only One God but that He is called by various names, such as Allah or Buddha. They ignorantly conclude that as long as you are sincere, it doesn't matter what you believe. You may be sincere, but Jesus said: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes to the Father, but by Me (John 14:6). And Peter proclaimed: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). We are looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Jude warns that deceivers will be judged, even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication . . . are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance (punishment) of eternal fire (Jude 1:7).

Having been enlightened to recognize false doctrine, we can add a resounding "Praise the Lord" to Jude's closing statement: Now to Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless . . . To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever (Jude 1:24-25).

Word Studies:

III John 1:10 prating against = falsely accusing; Jude 1:4 turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness = using God's grace as an excuse to justify sinful living.

Prayer Needs:

BP Staff: Karen Hawkins · Pray for Strengthening Hands Ministry and Rev. Betty Graham · Government Official: Rep. William Lipinski (IL) · Country: Guinea-Bissau (1 million) on the western coast of Africa · Major languages: Portuguese and Criolo · Religious freedom · 51% animist; 42% Muslim; 6% Roman Catholic; .7% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to forgive your sins (Psalm 25:11).

Memory Verse for the Week: James 5:7-8



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