Read Jude 5–7
Questions from the Scripture text: What is Jude doing to them in Jude 5? What used to be their condition? What had the Lord done to whom? But what did He do later to whom? And who did not do what (Jude 6)? What did they do instead? And what has the Lord done to them? Until what? And what two cities make up a third example (Jude 7)? And what other cities in like manner? To what did they all give themselves over? By going after what? As what are they set forth? What are they suffering?
How does God remind us of the urgency of obeying Jesus as our Lord? Jude 5–7 looks forward to the second serial reading in morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that those who do not obey Jesus as their Lord will suffer under His wrath forever.
The need of reminder (Jude 5a). Jude’s readers are not suffering amnesia. What is lacking is the experiential knowledge of the necessity for perseverance in righteousness. Even genuine believers, like those to whom he is writing (cf. Jude 1b), can go through periods of complacency and backsliding. But now that these men are creeping into the churches, encouraging professing Christians to use “grace” as an occasion for sin (Jude 4), it is all the more urgent that Christ’s prophet remind his readers of what comes of those who had blessing from God but threw off His authority.
The destruction of church members (Jude 5b–c). The Lord saved a people out of the land of Egypt (verse 5). They experienced wonders and spiritual privileges (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:1–4). These were members of the church in the wilderness (cf. Acts 7:38), but many of them grumbled and rebelled, and the Lord killed that generation before they entered the promised land (Jude 5c; cf. Acts 7:39–51, 1 Corinthians 10:5–11). But these were examples for us (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:5), so that we who think we stand would keep taking heed, lest we fall (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:12). Have you enjoyed great spiritual experiences, and great spiritual privileges, including membership in Christ’s church and participation in His sacraments? Then bless God for His goodness to you! But also look to Him for grace to maintain you, lest it be discovered that all of your hearing and seeing has not been mixed with faith (cf. Hebrews 4:2 in Hebrews 3:6–4:13).
The destruction of authorities (Jude 6). So, we have seen how even church members can fall. Now we see how far one may fall. Whatever heights of obedience or ability we have attained, we will not in this life reach those of the angels. But there were angels who did not keep their own authority, but fell from even there. And how great was their fall! From spiritual power to chains of darkness. And the judgment day that is coming will not remove those chains, but add to them the lake of fire (cf. Matthew 25:41; Revelation 19:21, Revelation 20:10, Revelation 20:15). Let us never become complacent, as if we have achieved holiness in this life (cf. Hebrews 12:4). And let us never think that we will be protected by any office that we hold or esteem that we have in the church. No, we must continue to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered. We must continue to be zealous for Jesus, our Lord.
Everlasting destruction (Jude 7). In order to understand well what verse 7 is adding to these illustrations, we must note the word “eternal.” For, the smoke of Sodom and Gomorrah was not still rising on the earth at the time that Jude wrote the letter. Rather, verse 7 tells us that these two cities (and the cities around them, that were like them) were destroyed in a manner that is an “example.” By sinning against God’s design for man and marriage (“strange flesh” was their specific sexual immorality), they provoked the wrath of God, in Whose image they were made.
Just as church members may provoke God by their unbelief, and those who are in exalted place may fall even from there to the very pit, so also all humanity has sinned against God’s glory and are subject to the fire of God’s fury (cf. Romans 1:18–26). What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah in a moment of history is a microscopic picture of what will happen to unsaved humanity forever—including, and especially, church members and church officers whose words and lives denied the Lordship of Christ. Do not underestimate the greatness of Hell. The Lord has given examples that urge you not to do so!
How can you use wrongly the good gift of being a church member? What sorts of things are you tempted to think are making you safe, other than belonging to the Lord Jesus? Why is being untroubled by sin incompatible with belonging to the Lord Jesus? How much, and how long, can you expect to suffer, if you come to the last day outside of Jesus Christ?
Sample prayer: Lord, please forgive us and help us. We have sometimes felt that we were safe from judgment because we are members of Your church and have received the sign of baptism or eaten the spiritual food of the supper. Many of us have felt safe before You, because You have given us places of esteem and authority. But You have reminded us of the church that was judged in the wilderness, and of the angels who fell from their authority. Forgive us for sliding into sin as a consequence of our false security. Grant that we would not take our sanctification or perseverance for granted. And make us to remember how great Your wrath is against our sin, so that we would dread to indulge it or mess with it at all. For indeed, the fire of Sodom and Gomorrah was but a token of the eternal fire of Your justice! So, give us to see sin as You see it, and to find safety from Your wrath in Jesus Christ, Who has suffered the fullness of Your wrath for us who believe in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear!”
No comments:
Post a Comment