Jude 1:5-8
English Standard Version
(ESV)
5 Now I want to remind you, although you
once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved 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, 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.
As
Christians we are so often accused of being closed-minded, judgmental people
who have no tolerance for anything. But
here in Jude, we are reminded of the power of our Lord and Savior. I want to take special note to Jude’s
explanation as to who led the people out of Egypt, “Jesus”. This is one of the clearest verses I have
ever read that equates Jesus as God.
Yes, Jesus came to this earth in the form of man, being fully God. I love the way Jude uses His name here! Remember Jesus? He is the one that loved the sinner, who
walked and ate with the unclean, who seemed to accept anyone into His
fold. Yet, He is the One who destroyed those
who did not believe including those in Sodom, Gomorrah and the surrounding
cities, who practiced sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desires, yes, He
destroyed them.
I
know there are people who claim to be Christians that shout out terrible things
to people that they believe are evil.
These Christians give us a bad name.
I do not believe we win the lost for Him by being cruel. Jesus was kind, gentle and loving to those
who walked in sin. He tried to teach
those who thought they were righteous but they were the ones that ultimately
rejected Him and placed Him on the cross.
Yet, today we have righteous people trying to select a verdict and
punishment for their sins. Is this what
our Savior wants us to do? I have a hard
time supporting their cause but I also have a difficult time condemning their
existence, that is God’s choice not mine.
I am so glad that I do not have to make that decision.
As
Christians, we need to be kind but not blind to those who are defiling
God. We need to keep our distance so
that we do not fall into their trap. So
often times people want to say that Jesus was kind but they forget the part of
His power that pronounces judgment on the ungodly. We also need to remember that their actions
are not the way God intended for mankind to act.
We
need to be true to our One True God and walk in His steps, not theirs. Are they a lost cause? Has God already written them off? Those are questions that are not ours to
answer. We just need to hold true to
Him, walk in His path, seek Him daily and truly know the God we serve. Truly know Jesus and walk in His path.
Seeking
Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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