So I did verses 4-7 before 1-3. Jude points out in 4-7 that it is a grave situation to have 'certain men' invade the body of believers. When we look at the opening of the letter we get a grasp of how Jude considers those who believe. When we did this in our house group my son pointed out that Jude is describing the beloved believers before he enters into comparisons of what their 'settling alongside' really is about. In the first of these observations on Jude we find the invasion isn't just a small matter but two realms that shouldn't have anything to do with each other. Why such terms?
In verse 1 Jude used three terms that are better explained from the King James Version. The KJV says:
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
Here we find that Jude is comprehensively saying that these he is writing to are believers. When someone believes on the Lord and has been forgiven the Bible says they are justified. When this occurs we can safely say they are called out of this world to become separate from it. The process of setting apart occurs throughout life and this is sanctification. So 'called' and 'sanctified' are the terms that denote these are believers. The third term included in this verse is wonderful. In Greek it is 'tereo' and has the idea of 'protecting from loss or injury by keeping an eye upon.' When we are called by God and He is working out his purposes He is also keeping an eye on us to protect us from a variety of things. Isn't that wonderful to know the Lord cares about our safety!
2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
We can easily skip over this as one of those 'standard starts to a letter.' Let's just stop for a second to take on board the implications of being called, sanctified and watched over. Peace with God is a result of being called out and justified. Love is what has the Lord watch over us as we go. Mercy is what we are under as we trip and stumble in the sanctification process. Jude wants these, mercy, peace and love to be an increasing measure as the believers walk this out. It's especially good to know mercy can increase if you are an Olympic stumbler like me!
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
This is an example of how the Holy Spirit redirects someone who had their own intention but then changes to respond to an urgent and pressing burden. How do we know it was the Holy Spirit and not just himself? Because it is in the Canon of Scripture! The theme of false teachers and invaders into the body of believers is a super-strong theme in the New Testament. What is at risk is the 'faith'
or, the content to which you put your trust in. From the word 'pistis' in Greek we see the crisis is what is our persuasion, our conviction. The seriousness of putting faith in false, wrong or perversions of truth has obvious consequences.
Jude holds the believers to be of another nature. His esteem of 'salvation' is demonstrated that his original intention was to write to them about it. He sees the believers in the highest regard, not 'of' this world and belonging to God as his possession. Verses 4-7 has Jude use certain examples that have themes and connected subject matter that demonstrate the men who have entered in by stealth not only invade that which is not 'of' them but their intention in entering is to sow their seed amongst the people of faith in Jesus Christ. We are to strengthen selves and others to be able to discern and oppose such teaching and those who teach it. That is to 'contend.'
Gary Ward
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