Cheap Grace
Sexual immorality has been a human problem ever since the fall of man from the Garden of Eden. The Bible is never hiding the sexual sins of fornication; adultery; homosexuality; rape; incest; orgies; polygamy; bestiality; cross-dressing; and today, we have added transgenderism and pedophilia. Christians are to abstain from sexual immorality as part of God’s work of sanctifying us (1 Thess 4:3). We are to flee immorality and resist the devil when he tempts us to sin (1 Cor 6:18; Jas 4:7). We know that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor 15:33).
Jude, the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus Christ wrote to the saints, called and beloved by God (Jude 1–2). He warned his believing audience that they must contend for the faith against certain ungodly people, who have entered Christ’s church, in order to corrupt church members (Jude 3–4). They preach another gospel (heretics); and they behave in a deviant manner.
Jude identifies them as ungodly persons, marked out beforehand for the condemnation assigned to them in the judgment to come on the great day (vv. 4, 6; c/f Jn 3:18–19), which leads to their being sentenced to eternal punishment in eternal fire, that is, the lake of fire (Rev 20:14–15). The punishment fits the crime in a system of justice that is righteous. God the Father has given judgment over to His Son (Jn 5:22, 27), who is Master and Lord of all (Acts 10:36; Jude 4).
Christ’s church has, is, and always will be infiltrated by heretics and libertines, that is, until Christ returns in judgment of the wicked and salvation for His holy nation (Mt 25:31; 1 Pet 2:9; Rev 19:11–21). The ungodly heretics in view are promoting licentiousness (v. 4). This is called, “antinomianism.” It is lawlessness, which is sin (1 Jn 3:4). Others have called it, “cheap grace” because it is an abuse of God’s goodness.
The grace of God is God working all things together for good for His beloved (Rom 8:28; Eph 2:8–9). Grace is wise and powerful; but it is cheapened by those who teach that sin abounds for the purpose of grace abounding all the more. This approach twists the Scripture in order to promote sin. Any church that promotes sin and sinful lifestyles is already under the judgment of God.
Jude gave three illustrations to support his argument. His audience, probably Jews who had been influenced by Greek culture, had received the Word of Christ and believed it. They were now in a very privileged position. As Jewish-Christians, they would have known about their forefathers in the wilderness generation (Exodus), about the fallen angels (Gen 6:1–4), and about Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18–19).
Illustrations teach lessons; and these tripartite types are moral lessons that reveal the judgment of God against the unfaithful, who leave the proper order designed by God. Disobedience and disrespect lead to destruction. Sin invites death and judgment with eternal punishment as their end (Mt 25:41, 46; Rom 6:23; Heb 9:27).
First, the Israelites were delivered from Egypt only to harden their hearts under the deceitfulness of sin (Heb 3:13). They died in the wilderness under the judgment of Yahweh for their unbelief and disobedience (Heb 4); which included idolatry and immorality at Mount Sinai (Ex 32:6; 34:15–16). They were under the wrath of God for their ungodliness (Rom 1:18).
Second, the angels who left their abode in heaven, forsook their high privilege when they came to earth in rebellion against God in heaven. They have been creating trouble ever since. Although Jude does not elaborate on these historical events; no doubt, his audience knew these stories well.
In the case of the fallen angels, their condemnation was marked out in that God created eternal hell for the devil and his demons (Mt 25:41). There is the final judgment on the last day (Zech 14:1–8; Rev 19:11–21); but these fallen angels are bound eternally in darkness (Jude 6; 2 Pet 2:4). Christians will join Jesus on His great white throne to judge the angels (1 Cor 6:3; Rev 20:11). There is no salvation for reprobate angels or men.
Third, judgment day came to Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18–19). It was a judgment by fire that serves as a warning to all who live licentious lifestyles (Jude 7). There is no justification for those who continue in sin. To celebrate sin in the name of freedom or grace warrants the wrath of God.
Jude identifies the sexual nature of the sin at Sodom. The pursuit of perverting God’s order for His creation is said to go after strange flesh. Angels taking on human flesh is clearly taught by the account in Genesis 18 and 19.
The men of Sodom sought sex with the angels who transfigured as men. Regardless how one interprets “strange flesh,” the fact remains that Sodom is an example of disobedience leading to judgment and punishment. The men there were vessels of wrath being prepared for destruction (Rom 9:22).
Jude calls the licentious ones, “dreamers” (v. 8). Heretics always deviate away from the Bible; or they do everything they can to distort the biblical text or the interpretation of the text. His tripartite summary from the three illustrations is to be applied to ungodly intruders into the church. This was true in the early church; and it is true in every generation and in every place. His summary is found in Jude 8.
First, they defile the flesh. Second, they reject authority; and third, they revile angelic majesties. Here is sinful rebellion in action. There is nothing new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). This is much of the church and obviously the world, today.
Gross immorality, in the form of teaching, advocating, and practicing sexual deviance infiltrates and sometimes dominates America churches and culture (defile the flesh). There is no regard for the authority of Scripture for individuals or nations (reject authority). Simply put, we live in a licentious free-for-all.
Finally, how easy men blaspheme the Holy Spirit and the angels of God, who bring the Scripture to them through God’s remnant people like Moses and righteous Lot. They even play games with demons; unaware of the superior cunning and power of angels (see Christian television).
In conclusion, God’s Word once again reveals the truth about the total depravity of man and the marketing of sin, even within Christ’s church. Let us be warned about the libertines and their cheap grace teachings that lead people to sin, death, judgment, punishment, and fiery hell for eternity. May our call for people to repent of sexual sins be clear and authoritative, as it was done by Jude.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 16, 2024
Jude 5–7
