In the Bible we find two mysteries:
- The mystery of iniquity (2
Thessalonians 2:7)
- The mystery of godliness … God manifest in the flesh
(1
Timothy 3:16)
For some reason, humanity finds it easy to believe that Lucifer did in fact rebel.
Exactly how he came to reason that he should rebel remains a mystery. But we still
find it easy to believe that he did what he did, without our consent.
On the other hand, we seem to find it difficult to believe that God
also actually did
something without our consent. He sent His own Son, in the likeness of sinful
flesh, to condemn sin. Exactly how He could do that also remains a mystery. All
the same we
still find it hard to believe that He did what He did, without our consent.
This problem of unbelief is not new to us. Jude, the brother of James (possibly one
of the brothers of Christ - maybe Judas - not Iscariot - Luke
6:16) recognized the
problem of unbelief as he wrote in his day.
It would be well for you to have your own Bible
open to these passages as you read this study. If you don't have a Bible, click
this link to read online.
- Salutation
- …
- The necessity of writing to clear the misconceptions that had arisen
concerning universal justification. (Romans 8:29-33 "If God be for us, who can
be against us?" "It is God that justifies.")
- There were some who, after hearing the doctrine of universal justification,
had twisted the truth to mean something which had never been taught by Christ nor the
apostles—cheap grace.
- Returns to their history and the experience of their deliverance. Even
unbelievers were delivered in the "mixed multitude."
- It was never intended for man to be lost. We are predestined to salvation by
the blood of Christ. Destruction is reserved for Satan and his angels who
have already judged themselves to be in absolute rebellion against God.
- Sodom and Gomorrah are given as examples of people who have chosen
to remain attached to their sin in rebellion against God.
- These "ungodly men" refused to believe that faith could actually work. They
refused to believe that sanctification is part and parcel of a correct
understanding of universal justification.
- Christ did not confront Lucifer as God (which
Christ always was and still remains), but as Michael the archangel,
Lucifer's peer. He did not commit blasphemy ("a railing accusation") by the
use of His deity. He confronted Lucifer on his own terms, and said "the
standard of Righteousness rebukes you." It was the Law, the character of
God that Lucifer attacked, and it was the Law of God which placed judgment against him.
- These "ungodly men" take it upon themselves to be God. They commit
blasphemy. (Thou shalt not have any other gods before me) by denying the
power of God. They walk contrary to counsel thinking that just because we
have all been legally justified and all things are legal, they also wrongly believe that all
things are expedient. They believe they can do as they please without
regard to the infinite cost of the cross. (DA 309, 310).
- What was:
- the way of Cain?
-
transgressed "thou shalt have no other gods before Me"
- denied the way of the sanctuary and the sacrifice
- refused to believe how good the Good News really is.
- refused to believe the doctrine of universal justification -
"common salvation" (v.
3)
- unbelief (in contrast, by faith Able ... Hebrews
11:4)
- the error of Balaam? (Numbers
22:5-24:25)
- gainsaying of Core? (Numbers
16:1-3)
- Characterizes these people as clouds without water—all talk, dry theology
with no evidence that the universal justification that is already theirs is doing anything
in their lives.
- …
- Enoch testified that the same problems being addressed by Jude were seen
even in his day; (lovers of pleasures; more than lovers of God - 2 Timothy
3:4)
- They talked a lot, wrote a lot of books, accused him of teaching all sorts of
heresy.
- But they were trying to sooth their own guilty consciences, admiring
themselves and their own wisdom.
- Admonished again to return to their history
— "Remember the words of the
apostles …"
- They were told that they would be mocked by those who professed to
believe the gospel of the grace of God which was purchased at infinite cost,
but who were in fact indulging in "cheap grace."
- By resistance of the Spirit, these "ungodly men" commit the unpardonable
sin —they choose to separate themselves from God.
- Continue to look to the cross. Hold to your sacred conviction. Pray under the
guidance and with the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Always stay where you can see the cross. Don't look anywhere else, for at
the cross is where you will find mercy and life.
- Be patient with those who doubt. Continue to gently direct them to the cross:
- There are some who need a more direct approach. They must learn that
under grace, there will be conformity to God's standard, His Law, so as not
to cheapen that grace.
- The sacrifice of Christ is the only thing that is powerful enough to keep us
from sinning, and it is His blood presented in your behalf that allows you to
stand boldly in the judgment in the very presence of God without fear.
- …
Main Themes of the book of Jude
- The Agape of God (v.
2)
- Legal justification for the whole world
(v.
3)
- Final disposition of sin (v.
6)
- Nature of Christ (v.
9)
- The second resurrection and judgment of the wicked
(v. 14,
15)
- Evangelism (v. 22,
23)
- Faith which works (v.
24)
- The Sovereignty
of God (v.
25)
Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings. We did
not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow His grace
upon us, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our
only claim to His mercy is our great need.
The Ministry of Healing, p. 161
Cheap Grace - What is it?
Cheap grace is simply another way of saying dead faith. We see the
cross of Christ, and understand the terrible cost of salvation, but follow
the dictates of our own sinful hearts making the false assumption that the
blood of Christ cleanses us even from sins we don't want to give up—cherished sins.
(return to body of study)
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also
transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded,
saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or
mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his
father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be
profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free.
Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching
for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:3-9)
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