Is Your Church Influenced by Apostate Thinking? A Study in The Book of Jude
The Book of Jude (Jude 1:1-25) in the New Testament was written during a time when apostates of the Christian faith were on the rise in the Roman Empire. Therefore Jude "found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3).
Why did Jude feel the need to write that a Christian should contend earnestly for the faith? Well he states why 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." Jude was alerted to the fact that people were entering the church who were not interested in actually becoming a Christian, but rather to "pervert the grace of God." Jude didn't want the Gospel to be destroyed by wicked people who wanted to make Christianity a faith of sensual fleshy living that denied the Lord.
Why did Jude feel the need to write that a Christian should contend earnestly for the faith? Well he states why 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." Jude was alerted to the fact that people were entering the church who were not interested in actually becoming a Christian, but rather to "pervert the grace of God." Jude didn't want the Gospel to be destroyed by wicked people who wanted to make Christianity a faith of sensual fleshy living that denied the Lord.
Who were these people that Jude was writing about? Below is a list from the Book of Jude that I found on http://www.esvbible.org in the MacArthur Study Bible:
So how can this apply to the church you worship in each Sunday? Well, our day is very much like the day of Jude. If you look at the above list, there are people everywhere who fit this list who attends church. Some of these people in church are seeking at this very moment not be changed by the grace of God, but rather to change the church to their sinful way of thinking.
If you see these kind of people in your church who have no desire to be transformed by the Gospel of Christ--watch out! They may be ones who Jude is referring to. The best thing to do is to lovingly confront them (Matthew 18:15-18; 2 Thessalonians 3: 14-15). If they respond and change, then you have snatched them out of the fire (Jude 1:22-23). If they don't want to change, then they have become an apostate. In a worse case scenario, if the church you attend has no desire to help someone in sin, then it is time to leave and find a church that preaches and teaches the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. I close with words from the Book of Romans:
Romans 16:17-19 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
Pastor Steve
Psalm 119:89
