Bible Pathway - December 22
Read 2 John 1
Highlights:
The commandment of love; warning against deceivers; rebuke Diotrephes; judgment of false teachers.
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3).
Jude is the only book in all of God's Word which is entirely devoted to the apostasy that will gradually draw Christians away from our Lord before His 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; the Message of salvation. There are so many things that would contend to draw us away from the faith. We must be steadfast in our stand for God. As these opposing spiritual forces come against believers, we must look to God for our help and preservation. So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him (Is. 59:19).
To earnestly contend for the faith implies not only the necessity of believing that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God but also that it alone is the final Word on all doctrine of the Church (2 Tim. 3:16). 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).
Jude warns that such deceivers will be judged. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah . . . 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 . . . . they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! (1:7-8,10-11). They have done the ultimate evil. They have led souls away from Christ. They have turned them from the way of eternal life to the way of eternal damnation.
The Word of God is a living book. Its Words can be life changing. It is what we do with them that makes a difference. Some will read the Bible as they read any other book. They never give a thought to letting the Bible work in their lives. Praise the Lord, there are many others that will let these living Words come off those pages into their hearts to change their lives forever.
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 the Day: Confess your sins today and you can stand before God — forgiven and unashamed.
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 Suggestion: Pray for those who have hurt you (Matt. 5:44).
Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 1:50
