Jude

Normally you would think if people were perverting the gospel, they would be coming from outside the church. But what if those people were members of your church? What would you do if someone in your church started distorting the foundation of what you believe?

Jude wrote this letter to deal with one such situation. "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" (vs 4). Some have, "crept in unnoticed," he says. It's sneaky. They pretended to be something they weren't in order to get on the "inside." Once there they began to turn the gospel into a license for immorality, and even deny that Jesus is our only Lord.

So I'd like to ask, are your beliefs strong enough that you would notice if they were being perverted? Do you know the gospel well enough that you could tell if someone was distorting it?

This is why, at the end of his letter, Jude offers a call for believers to persevere. He says, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God" (vs 20). "And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire" (vv 22-23).

It's okay if you're unsure of your faith; but don't let that be too comfortable a place for you. Let it be motivation for you to build yourself up in your faith. Maturing in the faith is a process, and it usually doesn't come easily. It takes hard work and prayer. But if you are faithful, I promise the reward will be great. Not only will it lead you deep into the love of God, but it will give you opportunities to lead others there as well.