“For certain people have crept in unnoticed, who were long ago designated for this condemnation, ungodly people who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ.”
I love the word usage throughout Jude. These people, against whom we must contend for pure doctrine, have crept into the churches. Already in this letter there is a sense of deceit and deviousness (if that is a word). They crept in unnoticed. They looked like everyone else. They, at first, said all the right phrases; they shook all the right hands; they kissed babies and patted the little ones on the head. They were able to rise to a position of teaching authority, possibly, and that is when the other shoe dropped. They were unnoticed, but revealed themselves after time as those who pervert God’s grace and deny Christ.
These people, these false teachers, were long ago designated for condemnation. Their acts are condemned, as they themselves are condemned. Why? They pervert the grace of God into a Fleshly sensuality and deny the Lordship of Christ, our Master and God. These teachers crept in, unnoticed, and began to teach that God’s grace was a license to go crazy, all the while denying submission to Christ. It is only logical for these two things to go together. In order to view the grace of God in such a way you have to, ultimately, deny the right of Christ’s lordship in the life of the Believer, whether we say it out loud or not. We cannot claim that Christ is Lord over our lives and live as though grace has no power to transform us more and more into the image of Christ. Yet, these teachers did even worst. They not only lived in this way, they taught others the same. Their condemnation was just.
It is a dangerous thing to be a teacher in the Church of God. Why? Your doctrine and your life influence other people all the time, whether we want it to or not. James said that not many of his readers (nor us who read so many years later) should be quick to become teachers. It is a dangerous “profession” as God will deal harshly with those who lead His flock astray and do harm to His Son’s Bride…whether on purpose or by accident from not knowing the word.
God, give us teachers in accordance with Your will and Your word throughout our churches in America. May a watered down and un-inspired version of Your grace and power be removed, and may true grace take hold in Your congregations. Your Son is Lord, and Lord over all…make us to live like it, Father.
Filed under: 1 | Tagged: False teachers, Jude, Prayer
