1 Jude, a servant[a] of Jesus Christ and brother of James,
To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for[b] Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1-4)
Introduction
Well today we begin an exposition through the book of Jude, which, Lord willing should be somewhere in the range of 4-6 weeks. This is a book which is quite small, and as such, is often overlooked or forgotten in the canon of Scripture; yet, of course it is the word of God which is good and necessary for the building up and keeping of our faith in a number of ways, which Lord willing, we will find to be the case.
The book of Jude is a particularly intriguing book for me because there are some very interesting and strange things mentioned in this book, such as the dispute over the body of Moses, Jesus saving a people out of Egypt, many Old Testament references, and mention of Enoch. But central to the book, in fact the bookends and the anchor of this letter, is Jude’s high Christology and Trinitarian theology which is seen in the Calvinistic conception of salvation which Jude lays out. The message of the book could be simply distilled as this: Though false teachers and false professors, and other malevolent actors may creep in and pervert the grace of God, those who truly belong to God, will in fact be kept by our Triune God, by the Father who has elected, the Son who has purchased, and the Spirit who applies our salvation. Or a less wordy way to say it is this: though false teachers may creep in, believers will be kept by Christ. So in all this we’ll find a charge to contend for the faith, and a message of comfort that our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ.
The letter begins, as is the custom, with a greeting, and the self-identification of the author, of course being Jude. It is interesting to note that Jude is equivalent to Judah in Hebrew, which is one of the 12 tribes of Israel, and indeed the tribe from which Christ comes in terms of His earthly genealogy. Jude is also Judas in Greek, which we have negative associations with that name thanks to Judas Iscariot, the traitor of Christ. But it was a good name and a common name, and this Jude, of course, distinguishes himself from Judas Isacriot, quickly identifying himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James.
We are familiar with the title servant, or slave of God and Christ Jesus, as many New Testament letters use this greeting and title, such as James. But one thing to note is that this is more than just a way to say that they serve Jesus Christ, they are submitted to Him, and followers of Him. This title, servant of Jesus Christ, is similar to a title used in the Old Testament. Some were called, “servants of God,” such as Moses. So when the New Testament authors call themselves servants of Jesus Christ, there are two other sides to this. One is that they imply that they are continuing the mantle of speaking on behalf of God as they write God’s word, like Moses. The other is that the use of this title is a little way of identifying Jesus as God, the same God of the Old Testament. Just as Moses was a servant of God, they are servants of Jesus Christ, who is God. So even in this we see the authoritative nature of their writing as Scripture, and their high Christology, that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, the second person of the Trinity.
So what is the identity of this Jude? There are two main options, one is that this is one of the other 12 apostles, which there was another Judas, who had a brother named James. But the main view, which I take, is that this is Judas, who was the brother of James, who was the brother of Jesus, so another brother of Jesus.
We know from Scripture that Jesus had these brothers who, at first, during the ministry of Jesus did not believe, as we see in John 7. But later they did believe and worked alongside the apostles as we see in Acts 1:14 and 1 Corinthians 9:5. Furthermore, it seems as if Jude is distinguishing himself from the 12 apostles in Jude 1:17, implying they are a group separate from himself. And if the James that wrote James was the brother of Jesus, it is sensible that Jude, the brother of Jesus would also write such a letter.
Furthermore, it seems this was the belief of the church in the earliest centuries, as early church historian Eusebius notes, “There was an independent testimony to the fact that he [Jude the author of Jude] was of David’s line… the grandchildren of Jude were still being accused of being related to Christ in the days of Domitian, according to Hegesippus.”
So this is the Jude, to which I attribute this letter, the brother of James, the brother of Jesus.
So to whom does Jude write? Who is his audience? He tells us, “To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ…” So Jude does not write to a specific congregation, but to Christians generally. As such, this is considered a general or catholic epistle, meaning for the universal church.
Notice that there are double 3’s used here. Jude writes to those who are called, beloved, or kept. And then in verse two he says may mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. It seems there is a hint of trinitarian theology here, particularly in the fact of the called, beloved, and kept – these terms have to do with our salvation, which is trinitarian. The Father elects, the Son redeems, the Spirit applies.
Let us spend a few moments dwelling upon this greeting, whom Jude addresses this letter to, as the called, beloved, and kept. Here we find a great reminder of our identity and salvation as Christians.
To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. Another way to understand this is those who are called, sanctified, and preserved. As the King James Version reads, “…to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called…”
In light of the sanctifying and preserving work of God, we understand the calling here to be the effectual call, not merely the general call. In the Bible there is a general call in which all men are called to repent and believe upon the Lord Jesus. But there is also an effectual call, as Jesus said, “many are called but few are chosen.” Not all men who are generally called, truly come to Christ, not all are sanctified and preserved. But those who are effectually called, where the Holy Spirit does regenerate their hearts, are sanctified and preserved in Jesus Christ. This is like the golden chain of salvation in Romans. It is important to understand this to see what Jude is doing here in this letter. He is writing specifically to those who are effectually called, saying Christ will keep you, even in the midst of false teachers and false believers who are generally called, but end up perverting the grace of God. There are wolves out there, there are snakes who seem like believers on the outside, but they twist true doctrine, they fall away, they practice ungodliness, but all of Christ’s true sheep will be kept, not one will be plucked from His hand.
In a letter where Jude describes the condemnation of the ungodly who are amidst believers, it is comforting to be reminded of the security of our salvation in our Triune God. It can be tempting, when we go through times where we look around and see people we thought were our brothers and sisters in Christ, falling away left and right, and to fear, for ourselves or for the Church; but the calling of God the Father is irrevocable, the sanctifying power of God is greater than all our sins, and the preserving power of God is stronger than all evil powers, for the sake of Jesus Christ who shed His blood to purchase our redemption, and who rose from the dead, conquering all foes. Christ’s purpose in saving His people cannot be stopped.
So Jude says, “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” This is a three-fold blessing in this greeting which correlates to the three-fold salvation in this greeting. When dealing with the condemnation of the ungodly, we need the mercy of God in Christ multiplied to us, for our sins also our many. And there is mercy for our sins in Christ. We need peace, not only peace with God, that we who were once enemies of God have through Christ, but peace in knowing we are secure. And we need love, love to abide with another, love to do and say what is loving to all. And I love how these things are multiplied to us, there is not a shortage of them in Christ, there is plenty of mercy, peace, and love.
Purpose for the Letter (v. 3)
After this greeting, Jude then tells us the purpose for which he writes this letter. Originally he was eager to write to them about their common salvation. That’s what he desired to do. However, there came a necessary occasion for him to change what he was going to write to them about. We see in God’s providence that He was directed by the Holy Spirit to change course and write about the matters that he did. He recognized the times they were in, and the need for a particular application to these believers.
I am simply reminded here of the fact that we all experience times when we make our plans, we have our desires, that are good desires, and God changes our plans. And we need to be willing to have God change our plans and direct our path.
So for Jude, he desired one thing, but the need of the hour was made clear to him, so he altered course and acted faithfully in the time that God had placed him, and the church is all the more better for it.
So what did he find necessary to write about? He “found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” So he writes to them to appeal to them to contend for the faith.
First of all, note that this faith for which Jude would have them contend, is not referring to the individual experience of faith. Rather, “faith” is used in an objective sense. It is the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. This is the objective facts and doctrine of the Christians faith, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who died and rose from the dead, who is our only master and Lord, which was being denied. This is the objective doctrine of salvation that we are saved by grace through faith, yet, called to walk in good works, and not sin so that grace may abound, which was being perverted. Contend for the truth of Jesus Christ and the truth of the Christian faith, is what he is saying. These things are under attack and they need to be contended for. Do not lose the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. This is also to say that the truth does not change. The faith once delivered, is not delivered again in a different way, there is not further revelation to alter these things. In Jude’s day, some had already begun teaching new or different things according to revelation they claimed to receive. There were false Christs and false prophets even then. And the one true religion is to be contended for.
This phrase, “once for all delivered to the saints” is a great apologetic for us as well in our day, against false religions that claim to be a truer fulfillment of biblical religion based on later revelation, such as Mormonism and Islam. The revelations the so-called prophets of those religions received cannot be true because THE Faith was once for all delivered to the saints. There is not a secret or greater revelation that God’s people are lacking. There is not a hidden knowledge for elites to know that all the saints do not have.
Secondly, notice that Jude wants them to contend for the faith. I love this language because it conveys the idea of competing and exerting oneself and striving to win, with the utmost effort one has, like a great athletic competition. Think of athletes who are the best in their sports. They don’t just walk onto the field and half-heartedly go about it. No, they train for months and years, they follow a strict diet and training program so that they can contend with the best of what their abilities and strengths can be. There is discipline and sweat; effort and pain; commitment and focus deposited into this goal of contending to win. In order for us to contend for the faith, no less is required. We must be disciplined, and live godly lives; we must study and know the Faith so that we may contend for it. Like a competitor who even studies the tactics of his opponent, Jude writes about these false believers who have crept in so we may know how they operate that we may contend for the faith.
This contending for the faith is the job of every believer, in his or her own way. Not everyone of course is a teacher or a preacher or a missionary; but all are to contend for the faith. Similarly, it is not jus false teachers who creep in, but false believers who creep in and pervert the grace of God into sensuality and deny our only Lord and Master Jesus Christ, so it is all our job who are called, sanctified, and kept, to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. Maybe you are not a pastor, but you are a parent. Do you know how the enemy wants false teaching to creep into your home and lead your family or children astray? Are you contending for the faith in that arena? Or in your workplace, or in your education, are you contending for the faith, guarding against the schemes of the enemy?
Why it was Necessary (v. 4)
So why was it necessary for Jude to write to them to contend for the faith? He tells us in verse 4. “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” This is why it’s necessary: certain people creep into the church who don’t belong there.
Notice the fact that certain false teachers or false believers can in fact creep in among believers. We obviously don’t want this to happen, but it can happen, it did happen, it does happen. This is why we must contend for the faith, for when they creep in, they will not find a foothold, they will not have a hearing, they will eventually be drawn back out.
Notice as well that Jude says these certain people were long ago designated for this condemnation. This is their reprobation. Like Judas Iscariot, was designated the traitor of Christ, this was not a challenge to God’s plan for redemption, but was precisely part of God’s purpose. Judas Iscariot is the great example of what Jude speaks of. The disciples at one time thought very highly of him, trusting him, yet he deceived them. He traded Christ for a mere silver treasure. But notice how Jude’s description of such persons being designated long ago for this condemnation contrasts with the calling, sanctifying, and keeping of the beloved in his greeting. “Believers, you are this: called, sanctified, kept…those who creep in are this: designated for this condemnation long ago…” All of these things are in the purposes of God. And the purposes of God are not thwarted. Those who creep in, are not those who are called, who have lost their salvation. No, they were designated for this condemnation.
Notice also how those who creep in are identified. They are those who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. There are those who teach that since we are saved by grace alone and not by our works, that therefore we can sin all we want, we can gratify the desires of the flesh, because God’s grace abounds. This is a perversion of the grace of God. This is not Christian doctrine. This is part of what Luis talked about last week in Romans. Should we sin that grace may abound? By no means! Such perverting of the grace of God is not the genuine effect of the grace of God. Those who have received the grace of God, are given new hearts and new natures to despise their sin, and crucify their flesh, and desire to obey God and walk in His ways. The grace of God in the face of our sin, is the most amazing reality, that we are freely and fully forgiven for all our sins; but the grace of God is never an occasion to sin more or to gratify the desires of the flesh, or to partake in sensuality. That is how Jude identifies these ones.
Think about this in your own life. You may not teach this or believe this overtly, you know it is wrong. But do you excuse sins in your own life and think them no big deal, “because God’s grace is greater?” Do you look at impure things, watch inappropriate things, think sensual thoughts, or even act on them, all the while excusing them on account of the grace of God? This ought not to be so. We are to repent and turn from such sins and fight against them by the grace of God. The grace of God does not just forgive us and justify us, but it also trains us for godliness as it says in Titus, and it sanctifies us and keeps us, as Jude has spoken of here.
Finally, Jude says, these also deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Maybe they were gnostics, who denied His coming in the flesh. Maybe they threw off His Lordship, so that they can live according to their flesh. Maybe they taught another Christ. There are a number of ways you can deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. This is also contrasted with Jude’s greeting, where he begins, “Jude, a servant [or slave] of Jesus Christ.”
Is this who you are? Are you a servant or a slave of Jesus Christ? Have you received His grace and been freely pardoned and forgiven of all your sins through the blood of His cross? Then He is also your Lord and Master. He is in charge of your life. His Word commands and instructs how you are to live, not gratifying the desires of the flesh, but walking according to His Word. Do you take up your cross daily and crucify your desires, and pray that His will be done in your life? This is who we are called, sanctified, and kept to be in Christ Jesus. So we can take comfort in this calling, when we see falsehood around us. We can know that we are secure, for our being kept for Christ, is not our own doing, it is the Triune work of God who has elected us, who has redeemed us on the cross, and who indwells us by the Spirit.
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Leave a Reply