Jude, Part 3

We continue in this study looking at these ungodly men that had crept into the church that Jude is warning us about.

Verses 2-4: “Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Now we see why Jude was burdened to write this letter. We see from verse 3 that he had originally intended to write this letter “concerning our common salvation.” But, because of the danger of “certain men who had crept in unnoticed”, he decided to write about that instead.

Who were these men? We are told four things about them. 1. They are “marked out for condemnation.” 2. They are “ungodly.” 3. They “turn the grace of our God into licentiousness” (or lewdness, obscenity). 4. They “deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” These are the same men who Jesus warned us about when He said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

From these verses we must conclude that not everything or everyone who calls themselves Christian is truly “Christian.” Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” We need to be very mindful of this before we put our trust in anyone who’s words do not line up with their lives!