I'm not picking topics randomly but Jude has always had a place in my heart. The rest stop before digging into the horrendously complex Revelation of John. Jude tells of the hearts of end times men. And lately, I believe I have met quite a few. I am between thoughts -should we save end times man or let him sin again and again? This will also be covered as 'end times man' really gets under my skin (and I bet many others' too).
The first takeaway here is that the Lord delivereth and also he taketh the life away once we no longer believe. The key word is in bold. It is Greek for trust, commitment and faith. To have faith is to 'hope' for the Kingdom, some say. But I define it as to defend one's beliefs. To justify them. Does one trust and commit for no cause?
What is trust and commitment anyway? I would paraphrase it as affinity. All human affinity is dirty so don't be surprised if it can be easily underminded. Let's look further into Jude, then.
"They insult and scorn what they do not understand; they use instinct to corrupt themselves further... they spoil celebrations... they see to their own needs... causing divisions, being carnal, and Spiritless"
These are a lot of seemingly random accusations towards many living in these times. But actually they revolve around a central theme -what we defined before: affinity and justification. These miscreants do not have an affinity for God, or are swept away in unbelief because they cannot defend their affinity.
An affinity for God doesn’t mean to absolute know Him, but to treat other fellow men with care and love. When we are able to do so naturally, we are said to have Spirit. Spirit guides us thru when things become confusing or hidden. It does not mean we will 100% prevail, but we will complete His work and it will be meaningful. Our flesh is strong enough for this as God made us well as He could.
Notice Jude says ‘celebrations’, are we then not to celebrate? What is being ‘carnal’? Are people not to enjoy their possessions, wives and bodies (together or alone)? All pleasure in our current bodies (unresurrected) is forgiven us by Christ. All intentions / plans / decisions / emotions, come before corruption and are judged. God does not judge openly-seen pleasure but our internal miswirings.
When we are miswired badly, we become the mockers and scoffers Jude spoke of. We must rather be as children to enter the Kingdom. Affinity, and justification for our Lord.
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