Bible Matters 225: Gospel According to Jude

Jesus had four brothers and at least two sisters. When he taught in the synagogue in his own country, the people did not believe on him. They were astonished. They knew his family and did not understand where he got his information. He was a carpenter’s son.

Matthew 13:54-56 – And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

Likewise, his family did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God. They did not always witness his teachings. When they called on him, Jesus stated that his brothers, sisters and mother are them that do the will of God.

Mark 3:30-35 – Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit. There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Jude, a brother of Jesus Christ, believed on him as the Son of God following his death, burial and resurrection. He referred to himself as a servant for Jesus Christ. When you believe on Jesus as the Son of God, repent of your sins and turn to God, living a righteous life in the name of Jesus Christ, you are sanctified by God. His book captures the message of salvation given to you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ presented in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in many books and chapters.

Jude 1:1,2 – Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Your salvation by faith is in Jesus Christ. No one else. Not by works of religion.

Jude 1: 3 – 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.

With your sins forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, the religious leaders lost their hold on the sinners. They did not recognize the power of Jesus to forgive sins, denying the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Jude 1: 4 – 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.

Woe unto those false teachers that do not follow the will of God. Put you trust only in the scriptures.

Jude 1: 11 – Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

Old Testament prophets, spoke of the coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was to come to save the lost and ungodly sinners.

Jude 1: 14,15 – And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

When they denied the Lord Jesus Christ and executed false doctrine on the people, they walked after their own lusts, seeking man’s admiration.

Jude 1: 16 – These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

Jude tells you the study the scriptures and remember the works that Jesus spoke.

Jude 1: 17 – But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

These false teachers and mockers would walk after their own lusts. They would not have the spirit of God in their heart.

Jude 1: 18,19 – How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

Jude tells you to study the scriptures and to keep yourself by faith and the love of God, by praying to the Holy Ghost, looking for the mercy of Jesus Christ, unto the end, eternal life.

Jude 1: 20,21 – But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Pray for strength to keep you in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins and live a righteous life, faultless before God. Glorify Jesus Christ continually!

Jude 1: 24,25 – Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

To God be the glory in all you do. Amen.