There’s a dramatic shift in Jude’s tone. When he was speaking of the false teachers there was a harshness, he had not one nice word to say about them; now in 17 and 20 he says, But ye, beloved. They were truly beloved: loved by the Father, and loved by Jude. He has two exhortations for them in 17 and 20.
17 But ye, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
But ye beloved, remember - Preachers
and teachers are often tempted to always have something new. We in the pews
(chairs for those who have removed the pews) often clamor for something new.
One of the more powerful idols in America is “New”. We don’t like old people or
old ways, one of the worst things you can call someone is “old-fashioned”. But
we need to remember. We have, many of us, forgotten the words of the Lord and
his apostles. There is a great need for the ministry of reminder.
Remember the words of the apostles. What words in particular?
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
I have said all along that there is a
lot of agreement between Jude and 2 Peter. Peter begins chapter 3 with these
words, This second epistle, beloved, I now write
unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy
prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of
his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they
were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:1-4)
Why does Jude tell us to remember? First of all, it is so easy to get discouraged – There are false teachers everywhere! Remember, we were told this would happen. Second, we are prepared. Our faith is up to date; we’re not fooled, we’re not deceived; our pastors are reminding us of what the Lord and his apostles said.
They separate themselves - From what? From the historic faith. They have “moved on”, “moved beyond” that old, out of date faith, to something “new, improved, and up to date, that better reflects who we are today”. They seek to lead the saints away from the faith and then from the fellowship.
They are sensual – The word means soulish, controlled by the soul. This is the natural man. What does natural man mean? He tells us…
Having not the Spirit - They don’t have the Holy Spirit. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor 2:14)
NEXT: The Epistle of Jude 20-21
