The book of Jude, though a short book, is quite a unique book. Jude himself is unique, in that he is one of two of Jesus’ fleshly brothers who wrote a book of the Bible (Matt. 13:55; James 1:1; Jude 1:1). Beyond that, Jude is also unique because of its format, in that he is repeated pairs things in threes (e.g. Jude 1:5-7). Furthermore, Jude gives us a glimpse behind the curtain in regards to inspiration, suggesting that, though he preferred to write on the common salvation, he was instead compelled (most likely by the Holy Spirit) to write concerning contending for the Faith (Jude 1:3). There are two basic ways in which one can contend for the faith, either by compassion or fear (Jude 1:22-23). These are the two main points of Jude’s short book.
In contending for the faith with compassion, Jude begins by showing the different kinds of punishments allotted for different people. For disbelief, God slew some of the Israelites in the wilderness (Jude 1:5). For disobedience, God has chained up Angels in darkness until Judgment Day (Jude 1:6). For debauchery, God rained down fire from Heaven upon the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 1:7). Sometimes those who stray from God’s Word likewise are debased, are disobedient, and are disbelieving (Jude 1:8). Jude then points out that the archangel Michael “would not dare” pronounce a “reviling accusation” (NKJV) or a “blasphemous judgment” (LSB) against Satan! Instead Michael decreed, “the Lord rebuke you!” The point is this: If Michael, an archangel, refrains from being too harsh against Satan, we need to think twice on how we address those in error. Are they committing the same sin as the Israelites in the wilderness, as Angels who disobeyed, and as Sodom and Gomorrah? Perhaps, but that does not put us in the place of God. With some, we need to have compassion, understanding that they are like animals, led by instincts, not knowing what calamity they ensue (Jude 1:10). Like Cain, like Balaam, and like Korah’s followers, there are some who stray without realizing what they’ve done until it’s too late.
Contend for the faith with compassion on some, but others contend with fear. When approaching shore in a ship, sometimes rocks can go undetected and penetrate the hull. That’s what the iceberg did to the Titanic, it was unseen until it was too late. That’s how some brethren are in love feasts (Jude 1:12). The King James Version says “spots,” which is a very poor translation. The Legacy Standard Bible rightly translates the word “hidden reefs.” Some brethren will cause the ship to crash before anyone else knows whats going on. Jude says that ““These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” (Jude 1:19). Beware greatly of these men! Contend for the Faith, trying to save them, but do so “…with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 1:23).
A part of being a servant of Christ is restoring fallen servants of Christ. There are times when we should save their souls with compassion, and there are times when we should save their souls with great fear.
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