Scripture:
Vs. 10 “But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all they understand instinctively.”
Vs. 11 “For they … abandoned themselves for the sake of gain.”
Vs. 16 “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.”
Vs. 18 “In the last time there will be scoffers following their own ungodly passions.”
Vs. 20 “But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
Vs. 21 “keep yourselves in the love of God.”
Observation:
Jude has a series of very harsh warnings here.
These are warnings of being “destroyed”, “abandoned”, and ultimately condemned.
There is a common theme about these warnings: Selfishness …. living for and from Me!
Living for what I “understand instinctively”, “for the sake of gain”, for my “own sinful desires”, and “to gain advantage”, and for my “own sinful passions”,
Jude then draws a beautiful distinction with the simple phrase … “But you, beloved ….”
The whole rest of the world is described and then Jude shifts to those “in faith” and “in God’s love”.
These receive the opposite of destruction and abandonment.
They are built up, receiving mercy and eternal life.
Application:
Jude’s description of so many is fascinating, because he is simply describing people. Normal people living as they normally live. He even uses the word “instinctively”.
How many of my actions are directed by what I want to “gain”?
How many of my decisions are determined by “my desire”?
What a great reminder that “normal” is “sinful”.
What I want to do “instinctively” will lead me to live sinfully!
The easiest response, of course, is “But everybody does it!”
Yes, and this is the excuse of children.
Jude’s response to this excuse is, “But you, beloved …”
I don’t have to live as everyone else lives.
How? Living in faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.
Why? Because Love Changes Everything.
I am “kept in the love of God” and the “mercy of Jesus” that “leads to eternal life”.
Prayer:
God thank you again for your warnings and your hope.
Help me see what is destructive and what builds up.
Open my eyes to see in a way that didn’t lead to selfish decision making.
Give me your desires to live in faith and love.
In Jesus name.
Amen.