Jude

The Book of Jude is in the Bible to teach us that: we must be careful to remain faithful to the faith. He warned of the danger of departing from the faith once-for-all delivered to the saints (v. 3). The subject of Jude, then, is the peril of apostasy: departure from the truth. Apostasy is a matter of obedience. Personal failure to submit to God in some area of individual life is the essential characteristic of apostasy. Many Christian teenagers abandon their faith in college, and many never return to it.

Just as Luke began Christian history with the Acts of the Apostles, Jude’s letter has been called the “Acts of the Apostates.”

There were certain immoral men (Gnostics) circulating among the people who were perverting the grace of God. These false teachers were trying to convince believers that being saved by grace gave them license to sin since their sins would no longer be held against them. Jude thought it imperative that his readers be on guard against such men and be prepared to oppose their perverted teaching with the truth about God’s saving grace.

In addition Gnostics felt free to give vent to the desires of the flesh – the heart of this apostasy. Which turned the grace of God into license and lasciviousness – an “if it feels good, do it” kind of philosophy. They were guilty of wrong conduct and false doctrine.

Many people have observed that moral failure frequently precedes doctrinal failure.

We “contend earnestly for the faith” best by remaining faithful to it personally, and by demonstrating an example of faithfulness to others. This is Jude’s message.

Though the theme regarding apostasy was directed at first-century Jewish Christians, its message is applicable to all Believers. All Christians need to avoid the pitfalls of denying Christ’s lordship, rejecting authority and living for self.

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