The Pastor’s Pen

Lincoln writes to encourage and build up God’s people with God’s Word.

Jude’s warning of scoffers

God’s Word has much to say for those who come to church with false teaching, hearts laden with sin, and worldly behaviour. Today, as in New Testament times, Jude reminds his readers of the warnings Jesus’ apostles issued, how that “in the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit” (Jude 1:18-19). These people did not have short-term lapses into bad behaviour. They had not stumbled into sin for a season. No, these were committed disbelievers who insisted on attending church.

Jude’s Warning Of ScoffersJude writes possibly the most concise and confrontational warning to protect believers from these troublemakers. He writes as one who feels both the pain and the offence caused by those deserting Christ yet stubbornly remaining in church attendance. Due to the seriousness of the damage inflicted by these agitators, Jude writes with a tone of exhortation for faithfulness, appealing for them “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude :3). God’s standards for Christian lifestyle has not changed.

These were religiously motivated people who had never repented, never died to self, never confessed Jesus as their Lord, and never been indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jude lists the behaviour of these who had somehow “crept in unnoticed” (Jude :4), which reads more like a medical diagnosis of a body ravaged by malignant cancerous tumours.

They “indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desires” (:7), “relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones” (:8), “blaspheme all that they do not understand” and behave “like unreasoning animals” (:10). They spoke “harsh things” against the Lord (:15). “These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favouritism to gain advantage” (:16). These people fulfilled the apostle’s earlier warnings, being “scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit” (:18-19).

Can you imagine being one of these people when this letter from Jude gets read to the congregation? Whoever this Church congregation was, it had been infested by the enemy. Jude calls the believers to spiritual warfare in protection of gospel truth and the purity of Christ’s bride (the Church). Warfare is always messy, always has casualties, and always leaves scars. However, spiritual warfare also paves the way for times of healing, restoration, and purity in Christ. Cleansing brings an increased sense of identity in Christ, growth in unity of God’s Word, and richness of fellowship that could never be experienced without the pain of battle.

When the Church becomes infested, we believers realise that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The necessity to “put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11) becomes even more obvious.

Over the next couple of weeks, we shall explore the weapons Jude calls faithful believers to use in their defence. Jude never envisioned a passive or cowardice response, nor did he call God’s children to fight dirty. Instead, he calls for “the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left” (2 Corinthians 6:7), spiritual weapons which win spiritual battles with spiritual victories.

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Wise words from brother Jude

Jude only wrote one short letter in the New Testament, yet his words drip wisdom just as relatable today as when penned. He was the younger half-brother of Jesus, the full brother of James (Matthew 13:55), and a non-believer until Jesus resurrection (John 7:5; Acts 1:14). Jude is the only New Testament letter given wholly to confronting those deserting Christ while remaining in church attendance. These pretend believers spread their disbelief and sin like malignant cancer (Jude :4, 8, 10-13, 16-19).

Wise words from brother JudeWhat’s unusual about this short letter, is that Jude changed his mind as to the subject he would write about. “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude :3). Jude’s passion was to write of the salvation that all believers shared in Christ. However, Jude knew the more urgent matter was to exhort his readers to “contend for the faith.” Notice that Jude does not say “for their faith.” The primary thing being challenged by these fraudulent people was not their personal expression of belief.

No, these troublemakers were attempting to change the very nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This other gospel included a host of the worst sins imaginable being portrayed as acceptable behaviour. So, Jude wisely begins by placing three foundational, unmovable, doctrinal truths on a pedestal to encourage and affirm the saints. “…To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jude :1b). Sovereign election, adoption, and sovereign security.

Confused, struggling believers need, as we all do, the rock-solid truth which “the faith” stands on. The apostle Paul penned a similar verse with the same truths, which will assist our understanding of Jude’s choice of words. Romans 8:30; “those whom he (God) predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Those God calls to salvation have already been predestined by God for salvation. I suspect John Calvin would refer to this as ‘Irresistible grace,’ when the Lord opens the eyes of blind sinners to salvation in Christ alone by faith alone.

Paul and Jude assure Christians; since you are called by God, understand that God has personally taken full responsibility through predestination to ensure you arrive through the gospel at faith in Christ. The Almighty has left nothing to chance, his invitation to you was not wasted, you responded in faith as intended.

Next Jude affirms that those who are ‘called’ arrive in the most privileged relationship imaginable, justified as beloved in God. The sinner is declared innocent through faith in Jesus substitutional death, and the Father welcomes them not as an enemy but as beloved children. What a breath-taking transition, from cursed to beloved. Christian, it does not get any better than this!

Finally, Jude tells the weary believers that they are “kept for Jesus Christ.” What God begins; He finishes. We sinners could not get ourselves saved, we cannot keep ourselves saved, and we cannot deliver ourselves at salvations destination, which is in Christ in heaven. God the Father intentionally designed every step of our salvation with the predetermined goal of glorification. So, we conclude with the reassuring words of Paul; “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

I encourage you to praise God for the certainty you have in Christ. From His calling to an unchangeable glorification prepared in heaven with His Son, you are safe in Christ.

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God is not a god of our imaginations – Part 3

God never speaks of Jesus in less than the highest accolades human language can communicate. Hebrews 1:8 records possibly the highest tribute made by God the Father of His Son; “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.” Jesus Christ is the eternal sovereign ruler of all.

God is not a god of our imaginations - Part 3When thinking of Jesus Christ, worldly attitudes should not be permitted to influence your conclusions of  Him. Even religious thinking will attempt to dethrone Christ in order to bring Him down to a mere human level, making Him less significant. The lower He becomes in your thinking, the less worthy He becomes of your total surrender and obedience.

In returning to the apostle Paul’s declaration of Christ’s majestic deity, we read; “he is the head of the body, the church” (Colossians 1:18a). The Church is not merely a religious organisation aimlessly staggering through life hoping to get things right. No, the Church is the living body of Christ, made up of believers world-wide with Christ at the helm. 1 Peter 5:2 refers to the church as “the flock of God” with Jesus as “the Chief Shepherd” (1 Peter 5:4). Nothing escapes the Shepherd’s attention; therefore, nothing is left to chance. Christ supplies every need His body has with no part suffering neglect.

“He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:18b). While some may argue that Jesus was not the first or the last to rise from the dead; Jesus is however, the only one to rise from the dead never to die again. “Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).

As the Church’s resurrected Lord, He intercedes tirelessly on our behalf with the Father. Maintaining our eternal security under His justification, progressing our ongoing sanctification, and blessing our daily lives. As He constantly presents our case, no detail is overlooked or minimalised.

Christians have every reason to rest confident in Christ. Why? Because; “in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). Our Saviour is not made of wood or stone. He is not some created deity. He is not just another religious phanatic. He is God who walked amongst us for a short time. He is God’s Son who came to earth for the distinct purpose of going to the Cross, making peace with His Heavenly Father for the sins of all those who would believe in Him.

Many today sit looking at Jesus as side-line spectators. The question for them is the same as Jesus put to His twelve disciples following a group of people turning back and walking away from Him. “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:67-69). Despite Peter’s many failings, He knew who Jesus was, and He knew what Jesus could do. Peter was convinced that no other could bring the gift of eternal life, so he believed in Jesus the Christ.

I encourage you to affirm your belief in Jesus. Celebrate the certainty of eternal life in Christ. Be glad about His constant work on your behalf before the throne of God.

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God Is Not A God Of Our Imaginations – Part 2

The apostle Paul never left God’s people questioning who or what Christians believe in. The certainty of God’s Word stands believers on rock solid ground as to the truth to build your life upon. While the world scrambles for any and every idea which would exclude God from their thinking, believers rest in God’s testimony of Jesus Christ. Peter announced publicly on the day of Pentecost; Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36).

God Is Not A God Of Our Imaginations - Part 2Likewise, the apostle Paul’s anthem to the Colossians of Jesus Christ’s supremacy continues with the highest accolades. “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). Jesus Christ is the reason everything exists in every dimension imaginable. God the Father exercised His creative will through His Son (Heb 1:2) “so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible” (Hebrews 11:3b).

“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life…” (John 1:3-4). Christ needed no building materials. He did not start a process which only time and chance could complete. No, He created everything out of nothing as the perfect expression of His Father’s will. Being the creator therefore, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:16-20). Jesus is not only the eternal one living before time began; He was also before anything else that ever existed.

When Christ created everything in the universe, He did so with the intentional design that required His power to hold everything together on an ongoing basis. The universe is forever dependent upon the invisible power of Christ to prevent it flying apart. The very structure of all material and immaterial things throughout the universe relies upon Christ to maintain their existence.

Paul’s reference to “thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities” shows that the various categories of angelic beings, whether holy or unholy, all come under the rulership of Christ. Jesus is sovereign Lord over all spiritual beings, no exceptions. As such, the time is coming when “every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10-11). Jesus indomitable (impossible to subdue) rule over all will culminate in the Day of the Lord which will bring every creature in humble and bowed worship before Him.

That time of universal acknowledgement will be the ultimate proclamation that everything exists “for him” (Col 1:16). All creation exists for Christ’s pleasure and glory. God gives testimony of Jesus inherent qualification for such majestic worship in Hebrews 1:8; “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

I encourage you to keep these truths in your thoughts today. Praise God for making His Son known to us. Share these truths of Christ with someone else so they too can rejoice in knowing that God is not a god of our imaginations.

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God is not a god of our imaginations – Part 1

God is not a god of our imaginations. He is not the creation of overactive or delusional minds. No, He is real, definitive, and knowable. And, “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2). Therefore, to know God we must know His Son, Jesus Christ. God’s Word explains who Jesus Christ is with remarkable clarity, with the apostle Paul writing one of the most concise and detailed accounts of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-20.

God is not a god of our imaginations - Part 1“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Col 1:15). Jesus Christ is the precise profile of God the Father. In Jesus, every facet of God’s infinite and majestic nature is perfectly and fully manifested. Jesus is not a created being, nor does He only have some of God’s qualities. God does not merely indwelt Jesus, nor is He a facsimile copy of God. These realities qualify Jesus testimony recorded in John 10:30; “I and the Father are one.” Jesus directly corrected Philip on His identity in John 14:9; “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

No other earthly person or religious organisation, including the Church, is capable of accurately displaying the full nature of God like Jesus. Jesus has no deficiencies, He cannot be improved upon, nor can He advance further in His deity. Jesus boldly confessed to a group of Jews; “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). Jesus is the human form of God in every way possible; eternal, holy, and perpetual in His very essence. He cannot be added to, He never tires, and He never changes.

As Paul continues to define Jesus expressions of deity, we see that He is “the firstborn of all creation.” In the original Greek language which Paul wrote, the word firstborn carries the idea of chef one, or supreme one. This stretches our understanding with biblical clarity; Jesus is the highest-ranking deity over all things which exist. In every dimension of reality, in every sphere of the universe, and in every chapter of time eternal; the supremely Holy One who reigns unchallenged and unconjurable, is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, in his ministerial charge to young Timothy, perfectly brought together a fusion of trinitarian truth concerning Jesus and God the Father. “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15-16).

As if that is not enough, He “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:4). Death has no power over Jesus, no grave could hold Him, no power of hell is able to intervene His flow of life or His rulership over all that exists. Jesus testifying to a group of Pharisees said; “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:17-18).

It is precisely this mighty Jesus who loves you and I; who indwells us by His Spirit and shall bring to completion the work He has begun within us (Php 1:6). I encourage you to openly confess Jesus as your God. Not a god of your imagination, but the sovereign God of eternity.

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