Bible Pathways - December 22, 2005
December 22, 2005
In Today's
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 unto you, and exhort (urge) you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3). To earnestly contend for the faith implies not only the necessity of believing that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Timothy 3:16) but that it alone is the final Word on how we should conduct ourselves as servants of Christ. Once delivered unto the saints means it is complete. We are warned in the last chapter: If any man shall add unto these things . . . (or) take away from the words of the Book . . . God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life (Revelation 22:18-19).
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 Lord 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 sincerely wrong. Jesus said: I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me (John 14:6). And Peter proclaimed: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none 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 Saviour 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 (sexual perversion) . . . are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance 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 unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless . . . To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and (for) ever (Jude 1:24-25).
Cross References:
For Jude 1:5: See Nunmbers 14:28-35. Jude 1:7: See Genesis 19:24.Jude 1:11: See Genesis 4:3-8, Numbers 16:1-3,31-35; 31:8-16. Jude 1:23: See Zechariah 3:2
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:
Pray for The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer · Staff: Ken Sharp · Country:
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Peter 2:22
