Bible Pathway - Dec. 22, 2011
Read 2 John 1
Highlights:
Be faithful to the teachings of Christ; be diligent; don't be deceived (II John). All believers in the world are a part of the Family of God as a "Christian community" (III John). Beware of false worship; express mercy to all; rescue others from sin. The Bible is the Truth, the only way to eternal life. Jesus the Son of God is Lord of all (Jude).
Jude is the only book in all of the Word of God which is entirely devoted to the apostasy that will gradually draw professing Christians away before our Lord's return. It should be the desire of every believer to faithfully follow Jude's exhortation to actively contend for (firmly defend) the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3) — all the Message of eternal life.
To earnestly contend for the faith implies not only the necessity of believing that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Tim. 3:16), but also that it alone is the final Word on all doctrine of the Church . The Holy Spirit led Jude to write: It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort (urge) you. . . . For there are certain men crept in unawares . . . ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . Woe unto them (Jude 1:3-4,11)!
Balaam and Korah (Core) are listed as examples of leaders (not true believers) who perished because they rejected the revealed truth of God by promoting their own interests in opposition to Moses (Jude 1:11; Num. 16:1-33). Today there is a deceptive unity being promoted by joining with religions that reject Jesus of Nazareth as the Only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:4).
Jude warns that such deceivers will be judged: Even as Sodom and Gomorrha . . . are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. . . . these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. . . . Woe unto them (1:7-8,11)!
Jude said that people like this are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage (1:16). They may have received some light, but not life, having not the Spirit (1:19). They may have received the written Word to some degree, but they have not received the Living Word, the Son of God, into their hearts.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless . . . To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever (forever). Amen (Jude 1:24-25).
Thought for Today:
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils (I Tim. 4:1).
Cross References:
For Jude 1:5: See Num. 14:28-35. Jude 1:7: See Gen. 19:24. Jude 1:11: See Gen. 4:3-8; Num. 16:1-3,31-35; 31:8-16. Jude 1:23: See Zech. 3:2.
Word Studies:
III John 1:10 prating against, falsely accusing; Jude 1:4 turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, perverting the grace of God to permit immodesty, immorality, lustfulness.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Bonnie Wilhite • Country: Laos (5 million) in Southeast Asia • Major languages: Lao and French • Great suppression of all Christian activities • 58% Buddhist; 33% belief in spirits and ancestor worship; 2% Christian; 1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for those who have hurt you (Matt. 5:44).
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Corinthians 13:3
