Good morning, Father God . . . As we pray through the New Testament, one passage for the weekend so Sunday can be a day of prayer and contemplation in light of all weve read this week, we come to Jude 1-13. Jude, “a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,” is an early church leader with words that echo through the years to this very day. As the apostle John warned us about “deceivers” and “antichrists,” Jude adds a word of warning concerning self-serving people in the church. Heres how he describes them: “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 4). Yes, there is a battle for truth. It’s with an urgency for the flock that Jude—a good shepherd much like the Lord Himself—exhorts believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Father God, we know these people face Your judgment—You judged angels who rebelled; You judged Sodom and Gomorrah. In light of all this, here’s a call to confirm our own faith before You and to contend for the true Gospel message when we see it warped. Yes, we must beware: “These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever” (Jude 12-13). Heavenly Father, examine my life; Your servant is listening. May I be a person of godly integrity. Give me discernment as to who isn’t and how You would have me respond. Oh, that I may be used of You to “contend for the faith” (v. 3) amid deceivers, antichrists, and self-serving individuals who use “religion” in an attempt to fulfill evil passions. esvbible.org/Jude%201%3A1-13/
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 11:45:18 +0000
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