for there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ ... these be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit ...
but ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy family, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life .... to the only wise God our Saviour, glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." (Jude 1:1-4, 20-25)
I have found it most helpful in searching/studying the scriptures in order to "rightly" divide the truth -- to look at comparison verses as well for context and understanding. Thus, in the above example, Jude was encouraging believers with "all diligence" -- with all industriousness, thoroughness and concentration -- to ensure that as believers in Jesus the Christ by faith we continually contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. In this case, Jude is speaking specifically of remaining steadfast in the apostles' doctrine and similarly, in singleness of heart and one accord, continuing in prayer and supplication. (Acts 1:13; Acts 2:36-47)
"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers ...and they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people." And when these did not vary from the truth that was delivered on the day of Pentecost, the Lord Jesus added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Remember, that the one accord came about as a consequence of the first 3,000 souls saved being pricked in their heart when Peter (standing with the eleven) said, "This SAME JESUS whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ" and going forward, having repented and been water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47)
The difficulty today is that too often, our willingness to know the Bridegroom who gave His all in all for us stops with our assured salvation. We settle in comforted in knowing that we will inherit eternal life because we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord God and Saviour. But is this what the scriptures say? Should indeed our faith journey stop there?
This is where we should take heed to Jude's instruction, wherein he warns us against those certain men who would creep in unawares, preaching "another" gospel. For me, the answer to some of these questions can be found in Ephesians 6:13-18"
Therein, we are instructed as believers to take unto us "the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having done all, to stand, stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints ..." (Ephesians 6:13-18)
Why? So that as the very next scripture indicates, we can open our mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel! What is the mystery? "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
The mystery of godliness -- wherein God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) Wherein He clothed Himself -- taking unto Himself a body of flesh (yet without sin) so that He could become the perfect sacrifice -- shedding His own precious holy blood on that cross for you and I. He gave His right arm for our salvation. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
Thus, when the scales that hid the mystery of godliness are finally removed, and we begin to understand how much love our Lord God had for His beloved creation -- His beloved people whom He had known from the beginning of the world -- that is, you and I -- “the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
Remember, that the one accord came about as a consequence of the first 3,000 souls saved being pricked in their heart when Peter (standing with the eleven) said, "This SAME JESUS whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ" and going forward, having repented and been water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-47)
The difficulty today is that too often, our willingness to know the Bridegroom who gave His all in all for us stops with our assured salvation. We settle in comforted in knowing that we will inherit eternal life because we believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord God and Saviour. But is this what the scriptures say? Should indeed our faith journey stop there?
This is where we should take heed to Jude's instruction, wherein he warns us against those certain men who would creep in unawares, preaching "another" gospel. For me, the answer to some of these questions can be found in Ephesians 6:13-18"
Therein, we are instructed as believers to take unto us "the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand, stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having done all, to stand, stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints ..." (Ephesians 6:13-18)
Why? So that as the very next scripture indicates, we can open our mouths boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel! What is the mystery? "But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)
The mystery of godliness -- wherein God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) Wherein He clothed Himself -- taking unto Himself a body of flesh (yet without sin) so that He could become the perfect sacrifice -- shedding His own precious holy blood on that cross for you and I. He gave His right arm for our salvation. He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11)
Thus, when the scales that hid the mystery of godliness are finally removed, and we begin to understand how much love our Lord God had for His beloved creation -- His beloved people whom He had known from the beginning of the world -- that is, you and I -- “the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
This is not to suggest that there will not be persecution because there will be, but when we lift the Name of Jesus high, He is faithful and just to bring all these who reject the truth back to Himself. Therefore, don't neglect the faith that was once delivered to the saints "under the onslaught of a barrage of false and misinformed preachers and teachers" who desire to lead us astray.
The same He which is before all things, and by Him whom all things consist, He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn form the dead that in all [things] He might have the preeminence -- "for it pleased [the Father] that in Him should all fullness dwell: and having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven, and you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight -- IF YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH GROUNDED AND SETTLED and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which is under heaven ..." (Colossians 1:16-23)
"The mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but is NOW made manifest to His saints." (Colossians 1:26)
We are a privileged people who live in these last days -- the fullness of times. Therefore, don't let others spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world and not after Christ, for these do not understand that "in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily!" (Colossians 2:9)
For there will always be "certain" who will not admit that we are complete in Him which is the Head of all principality and power, or that we who believe in Jesus by faith are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands -- because these are still preoccupied with splitting their God into three (ironically!) persons. These do not hold the Head from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered and knit together, increases with the increase of God.
So much more to share here, but for now, let those with ears to hear and eyes to see, both hear and acknowledge of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ -- in "whom" are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2; II John 1:9; John 1:1-18; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 45:5, 12, 14,-18, 21, 22, 23) The Holy Ghost who fills our hearts with joy and peace, and leads us into all truth.
"For I am God and there is none else; I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure." (Isiah 46:9-10)
Indeed, as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him, rooted and built up in Him and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.(Colossians 2:7)
Stand in the offering plate.
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