Jude 14-16

Jude 14-16

And Enoch, the seventh from Adam, also prophesied about these ones while saying, “Behold!  A lord comes in his holy ten-thousand to do judgment against all and to rebuke all souls regarding all of their works of ungodliness that they did in ungodly living and regarding all of the cruelty that the ungodly sinners spoke against Him.  These are the grumblers, fault-finders, while behaving according to their own desires, their mouths speak excessing boasting, while flattering the presence of others for the sake of an advantage.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Jude continues to go on about the people of whom we should be suspicious.  However, notice that it is more of the same.  Jude is talking about people who think only about their own needs and their own advantage.  Jude talks about those who reject authority in that they are finding fault in the people around them.  Jude talks more about the people who deny the glory of God and instead focus on their own glory.  Jude is pointing us to see common traits of sinfulness that can be found in all people in all places and all times.

With which of these traits do you struggle?  How do you fight against these human desires?

Second Thought:

All of that being said, note that God isn’t just upset at their own ungodliness.  Their own sin is a problem, but it isn’t the whole problem.  Their own sin leads them into cruelty against Him.  God is concerned about how their sinfulness destroys their relationship with Him.  God will judge us not only on the sin we do to one another but also on the brokenness we allow to exist in our relationship with Him.  In our sinfulness, we are even cruel to our Creator.

How does your sinfulness impact your relationship with God?  How aware are you of this impact?  How remorseful are you of this impact?

Third Thought:

Jude also reminds us that God will come with His host and judge us.  There will be consequences for our transgression against Him and against each other.  This is why it is important that we remain in relationship with Him.  We will all deserve the wrath that is coming.  But only the unrepentant will receive the full measure of wrath from His hand.

Do you ever think of the judgment to come?  Why is this important to remember periodically?  How repentant are you regarding your sinfulness?

Passage for Tomorrow: Jude 17-19