Home The Epistle of Jude - His Work Through Us
The Epistle of Jude - His Work Through Us
Posted on July 4, 2010
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- Background and Review
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- Written by Jude; the brother of James, the brother of Jesus, to the church in general, for the purpose of refuting certain heretics, or schismatic individuals who were ripping the church apart with both heterodoxy and heteropraxy
- Jude begins with a “servant’s heart” in that his faith-allegiance to Christ out-weighed his blood-relationship. It continues with an exhortation to “contend earnestly” for the “faith.”
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- Exegetical Comments on the Text: “Beloved while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered the saints.”
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- There are a number of interesting aspects to this verse; we get a peak into the process of inspiration. The Scriptures (Greek “graphe” or “writings”) were “inspired” or “God breathed” and therefore are infallible, inerrant and authoritative. Then, by the providence of God, though we do not have the original manuscripts, the words of Scripture were preserved throughout the ages-evidential proof of this lies in the plethora of ancient manuscripts, the ability to recreate the entire New Testament from quotations of the church fathers, etc.
- However, what is not always so clear is the way God inspired the text; orthodox Christianity long ago rejected the “dictation” theory; i.e., that God spoke in an audible voice, the apostle or writer heard those words and wrote them down and hence we have Scripture.
- There is no doubt that some of the Apostolic writings were seen, at the time, to be divinely inspired by the other Apostles and so verified; i.e., Peter calls Paul’s writing “Scripture” in 2 Peter 3:16-note that men who “distort” Paul’s writings do so to their own “destruction.” But not every NT book makes this claim; here in Jude, he starts off his letter by saying that he wanted to write ONE type of letter but then “felt” it necessary to write a completely different letter.
- Now, though there was no universal postal service in the ancient world, there was some means of transmitting correspondence- hence we would expect a greater number of letters to have been written by Paul, Peter, John, etc., and since they were all apostles, would they all have been regarded as “Scripture?” We have references in Corinthians to a third letter Paul wrote, which was not preserved-clearly, if was not just apostolic authority at issue but something else
- Jude wanted to write a letter to the churches to encourage the saints and talk about our great salvation, but instead, ended up writing something completely different-so what was preventing him from writing two letters-one upbeat and encouraging, the other a serious-minded condemnation of heresy? Let me suggest that Jude understood, implicitly, that he was writing something under divine inspiration-and though he may have had the intention of writing one kind of letter, providentially, his mind and intention was changed.
- We do know that the “sign gifts” were in operation in the New Testament; men spoke in tongues and received prophecies. While not necessarily a daily occurrence, it is no stretch to think that some men were recognized as being especially inspired by God in a way that a good sermon, letter or book, no matter how well researched, logically presented or powerfully preached can be.
- The word “felt” translates a Greek word which meant not a feeling or impression but rather to “have” or “hold” –to possess, “ability” or “hold fast” and can be used in the sense of “to be with child” (Mark 13:17, Rms 9:10). Literally, this phrase reads “I HAD the necessity to write;” the word “felt” is something added by the translators and really can put us off in the wrong direction
- Thus Jude did not have a “feeling” but rather a compulsion-from the context, this “compulsion” was motivated by his concern because of the dangerous men who were ripping the church apart with heresy and therefore the need for the faithful to “contend earnestly” for that faith.
- In other words, Jude wanted to write one kind of letter but was forced by what he saw happening to write a completely different sort of letter. And yet, why did he see this problem as being so serious that he would have to write a completely different kind of letter?
- The Bible, though inspired by God, with every word there for a specific purpose and reason, was written through men; that God’s providence governed not only the subject matter, but the situations around the authors that gave rise to the way that the books were written. God even worked through the specific personalities, gifts, education, etc., of the authors.
- And that means that the Bible is a human and a divine book in the sense that God was working through real people. It is not, as the liberals think, a human book containing a divine message-therefore if we can rid ourselves of the “human” elements, we will be left with the “divine” elements (and the implication is that those are the only “real” portions) because to do so makes man the determiner of what is “divine” from what is “human.”
- Instead, God is so gracious, that despite our sin and rebellion, He continues to honor His covenant with His creation through His vicegerent-Man. Man, as the supreme expression of His image in creation, has been entrusted with the responsibility to govern that creation in accordance with the Divine will. Thus, even in giving His own self-revelation, God entrusts it to men; special men, appointed by Him to speak His word with clarity and authority.
- This is “federal” representation in that God works His will out in creation, not just by executive decree but through ordained representatives; first through Adam, ultimately through Jesus, the “second” Adam but also in every other area of life; in the State, through the king, in the church through the elders and in the family, through the father.
- Thus God speaks to all men through His appointed messengers, the Apostles, just as He governs all of His creation, through His vicegerents! This subtly but powerfully changes the way we ought to expect God to work in the world; e.g., we are exhorted throughout the Scriptures to “pray without ceasing” but when Christians do, they assume that God’s answer will be through some miraculous, “supernatural” means. Sometimes, He does exactly that; but more often, He will work through more “normal” or natural means.
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- Implications and Applications
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- Our Holy God has chosen to govern His creation by delegating dominion to various spheres and federal representatives. Thus, every man’s work has meaning and purpose because it is through a man’s work, that God Himself works-it is not that He needs us to do His will, but that He has chosen to work through us to accomplish His will.
- Hence, the simplest tasks, if done in His name, for His glory, become reverent service to Almighty God, and at the same time, is HIS means of accomplishing His will on earth.
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- The Father working hard and long, at a difficult and frustrating job to provide for his family
- The mother, wearying herself to care for her family…
- Children who study long and hard to become responsible citizen…
- Are all the means by which God increases His dominion over the earth.
- And these are ALL ways that God is working His will in our lives and through our lives.
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- In the same way, every cup of water we give to a thirsty man in His name, is not only giving it to the Lord Jesus, but also the Lord Jesus giving it to the thirsty man. Every time a wounded soul cries out in hunger, fear, anxiety or need, and we respond with love, compassion, mercy and ministry, it is the Lord who is hearing their cry and working through us. Of course He can work wonders and miracles-but usually we are the miracles!
- This is the wonder of the Living God; that He works in and through His covenant people. Therefore, rejoice in the place where God has placed you and see your work as the means by which the Almighty, Glorious and Holy God is working in this world. Be humbled that He works through you, and therefore strive to do His will, in His way. Look for ways that you can be an answer to some one’s prayer.
- This also directly relates to what we discussed last week; since God governs His creation through representatives, every position of “power” or “authority” must be exercised in His name, according to His will for His glory. God does not delegate power and authority for men to wield as they please, to do what is good in their eyes, but to accomplish His will – all men are accountable.
- Finally, when you pray, pray in faith but then, get to work! The way that God will normally answer your prayer will probably be through your work as you walk in faithfulness. Need a job – then start looking and do not stop!
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