Jude 1
Introduction
We are discovering the letter of Jude in the New Testament of the Bible. I am calling this series "The Acts of the Apostates". The New Testament church began with the "Acts of the Apostles" and here, towards the end of the New Testament, we have "the apostates". Apostasy has always plagued God’s church both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
An apostate is a person who professes to belong to God; who feels very safe and secure, but who departs from the truth and does not live by it. An apostate is also someone who puts his hand to the plough and turns back. Many profess to be Christians because they believe in a Christian creed, but without Christian conduct. It is Christian belief without Christian behaviour. They presume on the mercy of God.
This letter of Jude is unique and it is devoted to the subject of apostasy. It is very serious, very important and very practical. Jude is a somewhat neglected book. It begins with a salutation, a three-fold blessing. It ends with a great doxology, which is the three-fold heritage of God’s people. The theme of Jude is perhaps found in the word "remember". In verse five, "Remember the Old Testament"; in verse seven "Remember the New Testament".
So who is the author of this letter? He is clearly a Christian, and most commentators seem to be agreed that he was one of the half-brothers of the Lord Jesus and therefore a brother of James. The half-brothers and sisters of Jesus were all unbelievers during the ministry of the Lord. We read that in the Gospel of John chapter seven, verse five. James was actually the leader of the church in Jerusalem and he it is who wrote the letter that bears his name. Neither James nor Jude were apostles. In his letter, James sets out good works as the real evidence of saving faith, but Jude, in his letter, shows that evil works are the real evidence of apostasy.
To whom was this letter by Jude originally written? Well it may have been intended for the church at Antioch, but no one knows for certain. Certainly the people concerned were beloved, and they were called, sanctified and preserved, as we read in verses one and two. Indeed, we see in these verses that salvation is the work of the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are effectually called by the Holy Spirit to faith in the Lord Jesus. God the Father is at work in our lives as believers, sanctifying us, that is separating us apart for Himself, and making us holy by the continued work of His Spirit. As Christians we are also preserved in Jesus Christ and kept in Him and through Him and for Him. What a comforting assurance to begin a solemn book of the Bible that deals with apostasy and the terrible judgement that awaits apostates and all the ungodly. This letter reminds us that they are all under the wrath of God.
So, Jude writes "To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ". The call of God in our Lord Jesus Christ is clear; it is to "Come unto me". Paul writes to the Romans, "Moreover whom God predestined, these He also called. Whom He called, these He also justified, and whom He justified, these He also glorified."
Believers are not only called, they are also preserved. The word used by Jude implies "watchful care" or "close attention". It suggests present possession and it was used of Peter’s and Paul’s imprisonment in the book of Acts. It means "preserved", "kept", "watched over". It is used in First Peter chapter one verse four concerning our inheritance as Christians, which is reserved or kept in heaven for us. This word is not used in the opening greetings of any other New Testament letter. It is a word that Christians need to be reminded of in an age of widespread apostasy, because we are always in danger. We fight the great fight of faith and we need to put on the "gospel armour" described for us in Ephesians chapter six. The Bible teaches the "perseverance" or the "preservation" of God’s beloved, chosen, called people. We are kept by Jesus Christ who can keep us from stumbling and He will guard us. Peter says, "you who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time". That’s first Peter chapter one verse five. Our Lord Jesus accomplished redemption for all of his covenant people, not one of them shall be lost, none shall pluck them from his Father’s hand.
In verse two Jude greets those to whom he writes. He says, "Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance". This salutation is much more than a mere courteous expression. This is in fact the only such statement in the entire Bible: "Mercy, peace and love". Remember that the context of this letter is apostasy in the last times. God’s people need mercy in these days. There is divine help and pity in abundance for the needy and for the helpless. Then there is abundant peace also. While there is no peace for the wicked, the believer has peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. This peace comes from our reconciliation with God who made peace by Christ’s death on the cross. This "upward" peace means "inward" peace. And then Jude says, "And love be yours in abundance". This is the love of God for his people. This is important because apostates have never really appreciated God’s love; they are ignorant of God. If we are to be faithful to the Lord we shall need his mercy, peace and love multiplied to us day by day.
Now we come to verse three. Jude writes, "Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints". Jude is very concerned to write to these beloved Christians. As one writer has put it, "A necessity compelled him". He was under pressure, as it were, from God Himself to write in the way he did. And he writes, "about the salvation we share". Christian listening to this broadcast, do you realise the greatness of the salvation which you share with all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ?
We have been redeemed; we have been delivered from the kingdom of darkness; we have been released from the dominion and rule of sin and Satan; we are the purchased possession of God and of Christ, and we have been adopted into the family of God. The Christian is a new creation in Christ and there is no condemnation for sins for those who belong to Him. Christians are Christ’s sheep, they know Him and they love Him and follow Him. Christian, be encouraged today by the greatness of your salvation. If you are not a Christian believer, I urge you to seek the Lord Jesus with all of your heart and enter into the abundance of God’s mercy, peace and love for you.