“The Just Shall Live By Faith”
New King James Version Written by: David Hicks
Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."
Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."
“Articles of Faith”
(A Study in Jude)
Lesson 4- Condemnation of Wicked Men:
In our last lesson we explored three examples of unchecked apostasy. In the three illustrations the Christians that were being addressed would recognize the need to avoid the same behavior and those whom would lead them to it (knowing the history of each illustration).
In this lesson we will dovetail the thoughts from the previous lesson concerning those who would speak evil of dignitaries and take on the form of brute beasts (in this case, the dignitaries are God, Jesus Christ, and His Apostles; these are all who would contradict the simple word of God and the righteousness it offers). First, we will look at three cases of individual sin and the motivation behind it (again these Christians would recognize the history of these individuals). Then, we will look at three illustrations of the condemnation stored up for these and the methods to recognize how they qualified for it !
Note: In this study of Jude , just as it was in II Peter , the author is dwelling on the issue of these false teachers in order to both recognize the threat and allow the faithful to be on guard against them and their own pride. The greatest danger to the truth of God's revelation is the will of the individual and the self righteous attitude that strikes independence from the true need of the Father for His gracious offer of salvation.
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Text #1:
Jude 11 “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”
As I mentioned in the opening, this first illustration is a documentation of three cases of individual sin and the weakness that leads to it. It is in this indictment that recognition of the motivation behind false teachers exists.
Cain = Wicked Selfishness: In the story of Cain and Able, both the sons of Adam offered sacrifices to God. In each case the hearts of the sons were strikingly in contrast. Able offered sacrifice to God by faith (trust in God – see: Hebrews 11:4 ). Cain on the other hand, was concerned about the thing offered, instead of his own motivation for serving his Creator (see: Genesis 4:6-7 ). Instead of developing the proper faith to serve God ( “if you do well, will you not be accepted?” – Genesis 4:7 ), the presentation of sacrifice became a competition and in his failure to recognize what his brother truly offered, he developed the wrath to openly sin against God and his brother.
Balaam = Greed: Balaam was a prophet of God who dwelt in Mesopotamia in the days that the children of Israel began the conquest of the eastern portion of the Jordan (see: Numbers 22-24 ). Although he knew that he could not speak anything against Israel , he entertained the offer of Balak, king of Moab , in hopes of receiving a profit. God would use Balaam for His own purpose, however, would punish him for his greed.
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Comparison:
2 Peter 2:15-16 “They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.”
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Korah = Rebellion: Korah was the instigator of the rebellion against Moses and Aaron ( Numbers 16 ). The rebellion began as murmuring and then blossomed into a confrontation against the Divinely appointed leaders of the people. As an illustration to all who would attempt to undermine the foundations that God established, He caused the earth to swallow them up (some 250 of them), and brought a plague on the children of Israel who dissented in the face of the display of God's power (killing an additional 14700).
In these three illustrations we have the core of the motivation that drives the false teachers and those who rebel against the foundations laid by God.
Text #2:
Jude 12-16 “These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.”
In verses 12-16 , Jude gives three illustrations to recognize those whom the condemnation God has been set aside for.
An Illustration from Nature - Vs. 12-13 : In this first illustration, Jude contends that although these false teachers are bold in their deceptions and perform their apostasy without fear, they are empty clouds (clouds were usually looked upon with favor because of the life bringing rain that they brought); trees without fruit (something utterly useless); raging waves (making a great disturbance but only bringing damage and erosion); shooting stars (that which has no fixed position or no true place).
In other words, they offer great things that have no hope of true results! This is the case for any form of dissention offered by man that is contrary to that which has been once and for all delivered (the word of God that produces faith to salvation Vs. 3 ; Romans 1:16 ; 10:17 ).
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Comparison:
2 Peter 2:13 “and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,”
2 Peter 2:17 “These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”
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An Illustration from Prophecy – Vs. 14-15 : Enoch is listed in the genealogies of Adam, found in Genesis 5 . Not much is known about him except what is recorded in verses 22-24 and is highlighted by the statement, “Enoch walked with God” . This describes a life in harmony with God (something we all want said of us!).
The prophecy of Enoch is not recorded in the Old Testament, however, as this prophecy is recorded in the inspired writings of this letter, it has been revealed to Jude. The prophecy is given to the ungodly and the result of their production!
Ungodly: One who lives without regard to God.
Ungodly Deeds: The outward production as a result of selfish direction.
The reference to the Lord coming with His saints is a direct reference to the pending judgment of Jerusalem and the children of Israel who have rejected the Son of God (who also make up the body of these false teachers among these Christians - see: http://www.plvcc.org/IPeter-Lesson12.htm ; http://www.plvcc.org/IIPeter-Lesson8.htm ; http://www.plvcc.org/IIPeter-Lesson9.htm ).
Illustration of their Thoughts and Language – Vs. 16 : Many of our brave men and women who have served in the armed forces in a variety of conflicts from many different eras, all describe the danger that result in friendly fire incidents. For whatever reason (inaction due to fear, poor decisions by officers, panic in the face of danger, etc…), oft times a greater danger to those in combat comes from within our own ranks. This is just as true to those engaged in the spiritual fight of faith. Christians who cannot conform themselves to the will of God and complain that the foundations of faith are inadequate are just such !
Murmurers and complainers are those who are quietly causing dissention within the ranks. Although they use great swelling words, that to the untrained ear may have forms of godliness, they are simply motivated by their own desires and need for prominence. These are those whom are marked for judgment as described in the previous verses.
Those whom have disciplined themselves to the obedience of faith have been urged to combat these who undermine the true efforts of humble service, note:
Romans 16:17-18 “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned , and avoid them . 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”
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Comparison:
2 Peter 2:18-19 “For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.”
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In the recognition of those who would deceive, who could not be satisfied in the righteousness offered by God, is a sure condemnation reserved by God. However, in the face of this inside threat, we the servants of God through Christ Jesus, have the duty to avoid and silence such false teachers! This duty can only be fulfilled by those who have developed a love for the truth, who in wisdom and knowledge of the teachings of Christ can humbly teach the truth ( II Timothy 2:2 ; 15 ; 24-26 ), in hope that God would grant repentance to life! This ability is required of each person who claims to sanctify the Lord God in their hearts ( I Peter 3:15 ).
Anyone else who makes the claim of sanctity in their hearts, but have not conformed to the doctrine of Christ (singular), make up those whom Jude is recognizing in this lesson.
Next: “ But You, Beloved ”