Jude ~ judgment of the great day

Jude 1

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1 Jude, a servant [bondservant] of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for [by] Jesus Christ:

2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

3 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. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, [other flesh] serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion. 12 These are hidden reefs [are blemishes] at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment [chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin] stained by the flesh.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

I'm not inclined to be a sycophant, overt/apparent/sinner by nature, so for much of my younger years, I've always viewed this passage with a certain amount of complacency, if not downright self-satisfaction. Yaa-yaa, it's you and not me. Yet really.... aren't we all somewhat sycophants to Father God. We are so interested in blessings, we are sure adversity has slipped under His radar net. We think with a groan and a sigh, "He doesn't see. Or He doesn't care." And then, when we get very discouraged, we think "He is far away and doesn't even care for this planet." We are unreasoning animals, grumblers, malcontents, following our own sinful desires; loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Our faith becomes - false love feasts, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.....

HOW are YOUR "HOliday" Parties??

Who else gets this deep profound dissatisfaction? The angels! Felt salvation was wasted on human beings. Angels do not see the heart, soul of mankind, God sees. Angels, without faith in God's greater plan, felt sure we, mankind, are all unworthy. Angels were so displeased, they were willing to flee Heaven.

What is your situation with your Christmas holiday? Are you surrounded by the goodness God does see in mankind, offering them His only Son - having a great Christmas - with the best of mankind?

Yes, we forget sometimes - while this passage deals with false, easy grace. God Loves us.

Or are you like me - favoritism shown to me is only going to be rewarded by good will. It seems I am the most likely to encounter the brash, rude comments of those who are hurting themselves. Perhaps you will join me, I am new at praying for people to, receive with joy, God's complete love. God is the One Who is Good. My prayers are sometimes offered with "Sound of Music" innocence and joy, sometimes tiredly, sometimes crossly, and sometimes with a downright lie and gritted teeth.

In these Holy Days:

Beloved in God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ! May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Remember, remember, remember our common salvation in God's grace. I appeal to you to contend for the faith - the hope of what is unseen. While we can never rely upon our own righteousness to save (ourselves, our family, our friends), we cannot live lives with words and actions taking advantage of God's mercy - as if God was our servant.

As Christians, we are not to become part of the hurt-you, eye-for-an-eye fray. Even if we are bothered, warm, itchy, irritated and down-right malcontent.

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

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