The Exhortations of Jude
Nothing has changed regarding sinners since our first parents’ expulsion from Eden (Gen 3). Adam’s sin has been passed to all who have been brought forth in the iniquity, in their mother’s womb (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12). Man’s propensity toward sin is exacerbated by demonic temptations. Without the divine intervention of our merciful and gracious God, all would be consigned to the punishment of eternal fire (Mt 25:41, 46; Jude 7; Rev 20:14–15).
The epistle of Jude presents to us a view to three groups of people. First, those called, beloved, and kept by Jesus are the protagonists in this drama of God’s judgment and salvation (Jude 1). Second, there are antagonists, the ungodly, who promote sin in the church. Third, there is the majority who sit between these opposing groups. In the end, this third group will be divided between the faithful and the ungodly.
The spiritual warfare between the children of God and the children of the devil will continue until the Gospel has been preached to all nations (Mt 24:14; 1 Jn 3:10), all creation (Mk 16:15), and the last of God’s elect, redeemed people will be brought into the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd (Ps 23; Jn 10). Then, the end will come with Christ’s return to judge the living and the dead (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5). The antagonists to the kingdom of God will be met with divine justice. Outer darkness, fire, weeping and gnashing of teeth; torment; insatiable thirst are only a few of the attributes of forever hell. The children of the devil have offended the infinite majesty of Almighty God. The punishment fits the crimes.
Jude elaborates with this warning to the reprobate interlopers in vv. 4–19. The brother of James (early leader of the church at Jerusalem) and half-brother of Jesus also issues a number exhortations for the protagonists. The careful reader will find these at the beginning and at the end of his letter to the elect.
First, there is their faith. They are to contend for that which is identified as “most holy” (vv. 3, 20). Faith is the gift of God (Eph 2:8–9), granted to those baptized by the sent Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11; 1 Cor 12:13). Faith in Jesus is actually the manifested presence of the indwelling Spirit, who produces “faithfulness” as one spiritual fruit. The faithful saint prays in the Spirit, which is evidence of faith in the ability of God to keep His saints unto the day of salvation.
Second, there is hope. Stated as one who anxiously waits upon the Lord as he waits for the second coming, this man occupies himself with the means of grace. In so doing, he serves the living God and the kingdom of Christ in the Spirit (Rom 14:17; Col 1:13). The blessed hope of our Lord’s second advent does not disappoint (Col 1:27; Titus 2:13).
Third, the love of God controls us, knowing that we have no love for God apart from His gift of love in Christ (Rom 5:5; 1 Jn 4:19), poured out in our hearts. God’s love never fails (1 Cor 13:8). It is perfect in predestination (Eph 1:4–5). It is powerful in redemption (Jn 3:16; Eph 1:7); and it is precise in regeneration (Rom 5:5). He calls us “beloved” and that is our true identity in both time and eternity.
The grace of exhortation toward us becomes our ministry to others who are doubting (v. 22). When one believer’s faith is bolstered by the Spirit and the Word, his or her cup overflows with grace to others. Those who sit on the proverbial fence in the valley of decision must be persuaded (2 Cor 5:11). This is the stewardship entrusted to us, as earthen vessels ladened with heavenly treasure within our souls (2 Cor 4:7).
No exhortation is greater than the elevated view of God’s sovereignty. We must fix our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2); who is seated in the heavens (Ps 110:1; Eph 2:6), doing as He pleases (Ps 115:3; 135:6). He is able to do everything He has willed (Phil 2:13). God has willed for some to receive Christ (Jn 1:12–13); those ordained to eternal life before the foundation of the world (Acts 13:48). He makes us alive (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13); to stand; to walk; to not stumble; and ultimately to stand in the presence of God — holy and blameless with great joy (v. 24). Christians should never grow weary of hearing that He who began the good work of our salvation will bring it to its perfect end (Phil 1:6).
There is such comfort for the saint in the Word of God. All of God’s promises are “yes” and “amen” in Christ. We are taught by the Holy Spirit, the will and testament of our God, who has made an oath and a covenant to ensure the proper distribution of our inheritance, reserved for us in heaven (Heb 1:14; 1 Pet 1:4).
The truth about the eternal outcome of the godless also serves to comfort the saints. Justice is coming to ungodly unbelievers who bring trouble to Christ’s church, the Israel of God. Their condemnation is from long ago (Jn 3:18; Jude 1:4). We preach this fact from Jude and other writers in both the Old and New Testament. When we do, we faithfully serve the King and Judge over all (Ps 110). Preaching Christ and Him crucified is the prescribed way to chase the rabble away, to send the chaff into the wind (1 Cor 1:18, 23; 2:2, 4).
As for those who are temporarily caught in the middle, the warning and exhortation of Jude’s epistle serves you well. If you belong to Christ, His irresistible grace will be sufficient for you. If you do not belong to Christ (Jn 10:26), you will fall away and shrink back to destruction as Hebrews warns (Heb 6:4–6; 10:38–39).
My dear reader, do not be disturbed by the sovereignty of God in any of these matters raised by Jude and presented to you for your edification. It is God’s abundant grace for His chosen people to know the truth (Jn 8:32). It is His judgment that when these revelations are made known and rejected by sinners that the absolute necessity of His mercy and grace are made clearer.
The proof is in one’s praise. The true believer is always ascribing glory, majesty, dominion, and authority to God, who has possessed these attributes before all time now and forever. Amen and Amen.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
August 1, 2024
Jude 20–25
