The Epistle of Jude
Gospel 12- The Good News of the epistle of Jude
The letter of Jude is a thunderous word from a man who refers to himself in the first verse simply as,
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James—Jude 1:1, the third epistle about faith. We have to hold on to our faith; there are difficulties in maintaining strong with our faith; deceits, lies, and temptations are only a few ways to fall into a trap and miss the mark. Although Jude did not come to believe in Jesus like the other family members, they only believed after the resurrection of their brother from the dead. The proven act of the resurrection from the dead Christ is valid in his claim that he is the way, the truth, and the life. “And said surely I am coming quickly.”—Revelation 22:20
If anyone were given the authority to disprove the claim of John that Jesus is God, it would be the family of Jesus; other than that, we do not have the right because we are just an extension of believing what the learned people before us had proclaimed. Jesus never claimed that he is God, but he did say that we can be gods. Referring to the book in the Old Testament, Jesus had been accused of making himself a god. People listen to someone that satisfies their wants. If we believe that we are the children of God, then who are we? If your Father’s name is Juan, is it alright for you to be called the son of Juan? And also, if your name is Jorge, you can be known as Jorge, the son of Juan. This is a clear identification of yourself. Maybe this is enough to make my point clear.
John 10:34 supported Jesus after he referenced Psalm 82 when Jesus answered them: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said: “You are gods”‘?
Jesus is quoting from Psalms 82, wherein God condemned humans’ plea for justice. The watchers of the Law for not executing justice—were called ‘gods” (Psalms 82:67). Jesus showed an unreasonable accusation of blasphemy, and this all started when he was misunderstood when he said: “The Father and I are one” John 10:30. If John wrote this without clarification, then the crowds may be correct with their interpretation that Jesus claimed to be equal to God. This incident happened in heaven when the angels rebelled against God because their leader wanted to be equal to God. Claiming equality with God is blasphemy, and it’s an unpardonable sin. “Blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God” (John 10:33).
It’s an unreasonable accusation because any one of us is the son of God, a person established in the love of God by partaking in His divine nature—2 Peter 1:3-4. Because we are created in His image, we are one with God, but many continue to disobey His will; we become the fallen ones (separated from God). Some have claimed that the sons of God were the fallen angels, and they produced offspring with human women. This was the reason the deluge was sent during Noah’s time. “Genesis 6:1-2 “And it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and they took them wives of all which they chose.”
Is it not written in your Law, “I said, you are gods”? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? (John 10:34–36) Old Testament reference Psalm 82:6-7— “I have said, Ye are gods, and all of you are children of the Highest.” “But ye shall die like men and fall like one of the princes.” “Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.”
I mentioned the above scenario about Jesus not to divert the good news of Jude but to contend for the faith we already have and continue to be nurtured of the truth, so we will not be subject to an attack by the wickedness of the Darkside. So we must stay content and learn the secret that God always reserves a place for everyone. So then Jude tells us: “Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints..” (Jude 1:3 WEB).
Jude’s good news warned us: “But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ ‘They said to you, “In the last time, there will be mockers, walking after their ungodly lusts.” ‘These cause divisions and are sensual, not having the Spirit.’
“But you, beloved, keep building yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.” ‘Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.’ ‘On some have compassion, making a distinction,’ ‘and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.” Jude 1: 17-23.
A building without the gathering of the Body of Christ is not a church. We are the church founded by Jesus Christ in our hearts. God plans to establish the church until we are ready to manage our domain and inherit the kingdom we have at hand.
Let us pray:
“Now to him who can keep them from stumbling, and present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25
God is all in all.
