For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed[.]

Zechariah 11:15-17

For behold, I am raising up in the land a shepherd who does not care for those being destroyed[.] Zechariah 11:16a

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 11:15-17, which the commentary outlines as the fourth of four divisions for the text 10:1-11:17 (10:1-12, 11:1-3, 11:4-14, 11:15-17). The commentary shares how God asked Zechariah to portray a good shepherd in the previous division (see post yesterday), but in this division is asked to portray a "foolish, evil and worthless shepherd."  It prophecies how although Jesus arrives and fulfills prophecy as the Promised King, He is not recognized as such by the Jewish elders and leaders.  These shepherds (and false teachers) do not save as Jesus does but instead "take advantage of people and harm them mercilessly."  The commentary shares how many conservative scholars "say that the ultimate expression of the foolish shepherd is the Antichrist of the end times, who will deceive and abuse not only Israel but the entire world (Revelation 13:7)."  Believers must be constantly reminded of how this Antichrist is real and he is on the prowl looking to devour those who are lost - see 1 Peter 5:8. Once again, as the commentary emphasizes yesterday, we are encouraged to follow the only Shepherd that truly leads and saves - Jesus Christ.  We must also follow the words of Jude who exhort believers to "have mercy on those who doubt...snatching them out of the fire" (Jude 22-23). 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are the Good Shepherd - as You seek and save the lost, and You care for them.  Thank You Jesus for saving me as I was lost - and You care for me and I know I can never be separated from Your love.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:1-4

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:1-4

I continue my preparation for leading Sunday school at my church tomorrow, where our class will be looking at 1 John 5:1-4.  This morning I look back over my posts for the past several day where I have leaned on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video for this text and the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for 1-3 John.  My discussion guide is here.  Key excerpts:

• Concerned about false teachers and how they undermine the church, John seeks to help believers understand the marks of an authentic believer, including the right belief (who is Jesus)/doctrinal mark, right love/moral mark, and the right behavior/ethical or social mark.
• By implication, we must believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Promised Deliverer, the Great High Priest, the Prophet (who is the Truth); we must also see Jesus as King of Kings and love Him in such a way that we love what He loves and hate what He hates.
• Finally, we must treasure God so much that the world is exposed as unsatisfying vs God.

Know and love God, and love others, and experience joyful obedience!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and worthy of all my worship and all the glory!  Thank You for the mercy You pour out for me every morning and how it never ceases!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5-10

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

In preparation for leading Sunday school 15SEP, I continue with 1 John 1, yesterday using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for 1 John which examines 1 John 1:5-10. This morning I step back to look at 1 John as a whole, using commentaries to look at key themes, including history and background of this book.  Excerpts from the introduction of the commentary to 1, 2, 3 John from The Christ-Centered Exposition Series:

• "Obviously sin is not a popular subject in our day. People will go to great lengths to hide it, rationalize it, or deny it. But we must understand that when they deny their sin they call God a liar. They challenge His Word and question His character. They say sin is not serious and Jesus did not need to die."
• "First John 1:5 is the basis for 1:6–2:2 and the foundation for 1:6–3:10, the first half of John’s letter. First John 1:5–3:10 emphasizes the truth that God is light. The second half of the letter, 3:11–5:12, emphasizes the truth that God is love."
• "To think correctly about Jesus, you must think correctly about sin. When you see sin for what it is you will immediately see your need—the world’s need—for Jesus as your advocate (2:1) and your “atoning sacrifice” (2:2 NIV). You will also avoid the error of calling God a liar."

Excerpts from the MacArthur Bible Commentary for 1 John:

• "John and James, his older brother (Acts 12: 2), were known as “the sons of Zebedee” (Matt. 10: 2– 4), whom Jesus gave the name “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3: 17). John was one of the three most intimate associates of Jesus (along with Peter and James— cf. Matt. 17: 1; 26: 37), being an eyewitness to and participant in Jesus’ earthly ministry (1: 1– 4). In addition to the three epistles, John also authored the Fourth Gospel, in which he identified himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” and as the one who reclined on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper (John 13: 23; 19: 26; 20: 2; 21: 7, 20). He also wrote the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1: 1)."
• "Most likely, John composed this work in the latter part of the first century. Church tradition consistently identifies John, in his advanced age, as living and actively writing during this time at Ephesus in Asia Minor."
• "Furthermore, the heresy John combats most likely reflects the beginnings of Gnosticism which was in its early stages during the latter third of the first century when John was actively writing. Since no mention is made of the persecution under Domitian, which began about A.D. 95, it may have been written before that began. In light of such factors, a reasonable date for 1 John is c. A.D. 90– 95. It was likely written from Ephesus to the churches of Asia Minor over which John exercised apostolic leadership."
• "Although he was greatly advanced in age when he penned this epistle, John was still actively ministering to churches. He was the sole remaining apostolic survivor who had intimate, eyewitness association with Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension."
• "As the last remaining apostle, John’s testimony was highly authoritative among the churches. Many eagerly sought to hear the one who had firsthand experience with the Lord Jesus."
• "After the Pauline battle for freedom from the law, Gnosticism was the most dangerous heresy that threatened the early church during the first three centuries....some asserted that Jesus’ physical body was not real but only seemed to be physical (known as Docetism from a Greek word that means “to appear”)....another form of this heresy which John may have attacked was led by a man named Cerinthus, who contended that the Christ’s spirit descended on the human Jesus at his baptism, but left him just before his crucifixion.  Such heretical views destroy not only the true humanity of Jesus, but also the Atonement, for Jesus must not only have been truly God, but also the truly human (and physically real) man who actually suffered and died on the cross in order to be the acceptable substitutionary sacrifice for sin (cf. Heb. 2: 14– 17). The biblical view of Jesus affirms His complete humanity as well as His full deity. The gnostic idea that matter was evil and only spirit was good led to the idea that either the body should be treated harshly, a form of asceticism (e.g., Col. 2: 21– 23), or sin committed in the body had no connection or effect on one’s spirit. This led some, especially John’s opponents, to conclude that sin committed in the physical body did not matter; absolute indulgence in immorality was permissible; one could deny sin even existed (1: 8– 10) and disregard God’s law (3: 4)."
• "A lack of love for fellow believers characterizes false teachers, especially as they react against anyone rejecting their new way of thinking (3: 10– 18). They separated their deceived followers from the fellowship of those who remained faithful to apostolic teaching, leading John to reply that such separation outwardly manifested that those who followed false teachers lacked genuine salvation (2: 19)."
• "Since the heresy was so acutely dangerous and the time period was so critical for the church in danger of being overwhelmed by false teaching, John gently, lovingly, but with unquestionable apostolic authority, sent this letter to churches in his sphere of influence to stem this spreading plague of false doctrine."

 Looking specifically at 1 John 1:1-10, the commentary for this text from the The Christ-Centered Exposition Series shares six divisions (including one division proposed by the commentary that continues through 1 John 2:2:

1 John 1:1-4

1. Have a passion to know this life (vv1-2)
2. Have a passion to share this life (v3)
3. Have a passion to enjoy this life (in a Godly manner) (v4)

1 John 1:5-10

1. The world must know what God says about Himself (v5)
2. The world must know what God says about sin (v6-10)
   
3. The world must know what God says about Jesus (2:1-2)
   

Believers, we must be a light in this world of darkness!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are light, love and truth...You are also love and my personal Lord and Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the amazing grace You already poured out for me and the grace You continue to pour out for me in inexhaustible supply. My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient...and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

1 Timothy 1

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient...and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 1 Timothy 1:8,10b-11

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for these books. Today, I look at 1 Timothy 1:8-11; this video is part 2 of 3 on this text.  Excerpts from the video entitled What Is Healthy Teaching?: 

• The focus of this video is Paul's reference to sound doctrine or healthy teaching - see also 2 Timothy 2:16 that illustrates unhealthy talking using the example of gangrene which if not addressed kills; 1 Timothy 6:3-5 also discusses unhealthy teaching and how it results in "envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain."
• In the text today, healthy teaching is first defined as "in accordance with the gospel of the glory."  See also Ephesians 1:4-6, John 1:14, and 2 Thessalonians 2:14 where God's glory is described in reference to the gospel.
• From the text and also from 1 Timothy 6:3-5 healthy teaching is then defined as accords with the words of the Lord, and it accords with godliness.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good - thank You Jesus! Thank You for the gospel and for how it teaches perfectly and provides a lamp to my feet!  I am not deserving of Your Word, how it teaches and for the many teachers I have had that sharpen me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me for my many sins and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

1 Timothy 1

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 1 Timothy 1:8-11

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for these books. Today, I look at 1 Timothy 1:8-11. Excerpts from the video entitled How Did the False Teachers Misuse the Law? - this video is part 1 of 3 on this text.

• Referring to the previous text in 1 Timothy 1:3-7, Paul now describes how these false teachers were unlawfully applying the law as laid down in the Old Testament or Mosaic Law.  They were teaching that the law was for the just (Christians declared just and righteous see also Titus 3:5-7), but Paul is being specific for whom the law was originally laid down; see also Romans 7:4-6 where the New Covenant in Jesus Christ replaces law-keeping as bearing "fruit for God" or being "released from the law." 
  
• The list of sins as described by Paul in the text according to Piper remarkably maps to the Ten Commandments with exception to "do not covet" which Piper believes is effectively captured by Paul in v9; the Ten Commandments are referenced by Paul because they represent a summary of the Old Testament and Mosaic Law; v10 then serves as a "catch-all" for "whatever else is contrary to healthy teaching or sound doctrine."  Anything that is outside of sound doctrine - that which is the gospel.  
• In summary these false teachers were trying to apply Mosaic Law illegitimately to the righteous, but Christians are on a new footing per Romans 7:4-6 and per 1 Timothy 5:7. 

Beware of false teachers and their "myths and speculations!"

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God from whom the Word is given as a means to speak to me and for me to know, love and become more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide the Word, the Holy Spirit, godly teachers, etc.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

1 Timothy 1

Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. 1 Timothy 1:6-7

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for these books. Today, I look at 1 Timothy 1:5–7. Excerpts from the video entitled Where Does Empty Talk Come From?:

• The text for this video overlaps with the post from yesterday where in the video v5 is also used; with that post exhorting us to "love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
  
• In this video, Piper shares how the main and most crucial point is from vv5-6 where Paul shares how swerving from and departing from a real authentic faith - that comes from a pure heart and a good conscience - leads us to teaching with vain or empty words; see also 2 Timothy and Titus for the other pastoral epistles where we see NT scripture for "abiding" purposes; the teaching is not doctrine but instead exhortations urging us to faith where we are to hold fast to Christ; if we lose our passion for the purpose as defined in v5 our teaching is empty and meaningless.
  
• From v7, Piper shares background from the day how some in the church wanted to be teachers, but became empty talkers because they were not correctly interpreting matters of OT law; see also Titus 1:10, 13-14, 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:16-18, Matthew 22:23, 31-32 (which points to Exodus 3:6); Piper does emphasize that Biblical scholars are not certain exactly what these false teachers were teaching so this verse should not focus on what was wrong about the teaching referred to here but simply that the teaching was wrong because of how they swerved or departed from authentic faith. 
  

Be aware of false teachers!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good and Your Word is true and perfect - thank You for giving me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, gospel-centered teachers and mentors, etc.  What blessings!  I am not deserving of my salvation or such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

1 Timothy 1

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for these books. Today, I look at 1 Timothy 1:3–5, Part 1. Excerpts from the video entitled The Problem with Christian Speculations:

• The core of the message is Paul instructing Timothy how to deal with false teaching in the church at Ephesus as he moves on to Macedonia, leaving Timothy behind in Ephesus
• In his instruction to Timothy, Paul provides two negative charges in vv3-4 and one positive charge in v5 
• The first negative charge is in v3 where Timothy is to prevent "certain persons" from teaching anything but sound doctrine; see also 1 Timothy 1:10-11, 1 Timothy 6:3-4, 1 Timothy 6:20 for Paul's thoughts on sound and healthy doctrine that accords with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, and how sound doctrine is defined - doctrine that accords with Godliness.  The reference to 1 Timothy 6:20 addresses how we should "guard" this sound doctrine.
  
• The second negative charge is in v4 where Piper shares how many at the time the letter was written focused on interesting and fascinating "speculations" but these speculations regarding scripture were made up, not gospel centered, and did not forward the mission of the gospel.  Piper shares how myths and genealogies were "fictions" and led people away from sound and healthy doctrine. See also 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 1 Timothy 4:6-7, Titus 1:13-14, 3:8-9 where Paul refers to myths and genealogies elsewhere, including references to Old Testament (often called "the law") where Paul calls out how some twisted sound doctrine, leading not to truth but speculations.
  
• Finally, while not explored in more detail, Piper provides the final charge from the text - to love others per v5 

Praise God for resources that exist for me to better understand sound doctrine, including DesiringGod.com, my church, commentaries, my brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.

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My Prayer: You are an awesome God whose Word is God and is perfect not needing anything to be added or subtracted...thank You for Your Word and how it is alive and working in my heart and in the hearts of believers every where.  I am not deserving of how Your Word and the Spirit work in my life.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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, 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.

Jude

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, 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. Jude 24-25

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 24-25, the final verses of Jude, typically used as a doxology.  A doxology is defined as a short-praise hymn that is part (typically concluding) of a worship service. Concluding words are certainly in order as Jude wraps us his letter focused primarily on warnings about false teachers and teachings.  Jude tells us in vv22-23 to show mercy to others, including those who doubt the gospel, and those who desperately need it and who are dangerously close lost-ness forever.  In vv24-25, Jude comforts believers with these parting words about how God protects believers from falling away, and how He sees us blameless - not condemned (see also Romans 8:1). These verses also share how God presents us to Himself with great joy (similar to how God the Father was pleased with Jesus at His baptism. Finally, Jude provides us with a portrait of Jesus Christ as our only God, our savior, worthy of all glory, majesty, with dominion and authority over all, as the Alpha and Omega. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loved me while I was still sinning, hostile to You, and then saved me and made me a child of God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.   Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “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

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “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 17-19

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 17-23, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the first division per the commentary - vv17-19. Per the commentary:

Main idea for vv17-23: "Since there will always be false teachings, Christians should diligently watch for false teachers and seek to rescue all from their destructive message, even as they eagerly await the return of Christ."

Division and subdivisions for vv17-19:

• Remember the Words of Our Lord
• The presence of false teachers is certain
• The portrait of false teachers is clear
• They are scoffers, sensual, schismatic, and Spiritless

We are of course not surprised how the gospel is warped by many of our contemporaries, even within the church and this will continue until Jesus comes again.  Vv17-19 start with Jude urging us to remember the words of Jesus and His apostles.  We must also remember how false teachers are just as much a certainty as the gospel itself in terms of how it saves and it is Truth. On top of Jude's warning, the commentary points us to Matthew 7:15-23, 24:11,14, Acts 20:29-30, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Peter 2:1-3,12-22, and 1 John 2:18-23, 4:1-3.  We should be able to spot these false teachers as they focused on self vs God - the commentary shares how they: "laugh at, sneer at, and make light of God’s holiness and moral perfection. They joke about God’s righteous character and have no reverence for his purity....[and how they] [m]ock God’s law and moral precepts, these men walk according to their own ungodly lust....[and they] pursue anything that pleases their selfish desires. They live on the earthly plane, not the heavenly. They are not spiritual but carnal. For them lust is lord. Passion is their sovereign dictator." The commentary also shares how false teachers can be identified by how they cause divisions in the church and how they remain lost and Spiritless, as we are referred to Romans 8:9 and Titus 1:16.  See also my post yesterday. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides Truth so that I can know You, follow You, be sanctified by You, and ultimately saved by You.  Thank for these blessings and so much more!  Of course I am undeserving.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “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

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “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 17-19

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 17-23, with a focus on an unassisted review of the first division per the commentary - vv17-19.  In light of the false teachers he warns us about in vv1-16, Jude then moves to remind believers that he is not alone in his warning of these sinful influences in our churches and in the world. Specifically, the warning offered by Peter in 2 Peter 3:3 provides near the same as that by Jude.  The world is full of sin and the church is no exception - we must be on guard for false teachers.  To guard against false teachers, we must have a hunger and thirst for righteousness (see Matthew 5:6), saturate ourselves in the Word as Paul does (see link here from Chuck Swindoll devotions), then rigorously examine the Word, including via commentary resources (see here for post on scoffers and how they are depicted throughout scripture), pastors, and our brothers and sisters in Christ in our church who sharpen us and provide Biblical insights and teaching.  We must do as the Bereans did in Acts 17 where they "received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" (v11). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has provided many resources for me to understand Truth.  You provide the Word of God itself, the Holy Spirit, and many other resources such as commentaries, pastors, my church, my brothers and sisters in Christ...and so much more.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my church, my family, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Jude

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. Jude 16

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on an unassisted review of the fourth division per the commentary - v16.  Jude, before he pivots to words of encouragement as he winds down his letter, concludes his remarks on the sinful acts of false teachers describing them as grumblers, malcontents (one who is in active opposition to an established order or government), selfish, arrogant, and greedy - all of which are sins referred to often in scripture.  Of course these reflect a heart condition in opposition to God.  On the other hand we have fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23) and David (a man after God's heart - see Acts 13:22).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me my faith, a hunger and thirst for righteousness, and brothers and sisters in Christ who sharpen, encourage and hold me accountable.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 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.”

Jude

 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 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.”  Jude 14-15

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the third division per the commentary - vv14-15 - which is titled God Condemns the Ungodly Because It Is Their Destiny.  The commentary points out how the condemnation of the ungodly was written about long ago when Enoch (7th from Adam) shared his prophesy which Jude references from the "nonbiblical book of 1 Enoch 1:9, affirming the truth of this statement without endorsing the whole of the book as divine or special revelation."  The commentary continues by sharing that God condemns false teachers "prior...to the flood."  About use the word ungodly four times in vv14-15, the commentary then shares how God feels about "those who live without reverence and respect for God. They walk in an ungodly manner, with evil deeds, they think in ungodly ways, and they talk with ungodly and harsh words."  The commentary concludes by sharing that "[n]o evil action, thought, or word will go unpunished, nor will it be erased from the divine memory (Proverbs 11:21; Nahum 1:3). These men and those like them will have no defense, no retrial, no appeal. As Romans 3:19 says, every mouth will be silenced." Once again, believers should be motivated to share the gospel as much as possible such that many can be saved.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - making me one of Your family and adopting me as Your child, loving me and saving me while I was still hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 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.”

Jude

 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, 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.”  Jude 12-13

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on an unassisted review of the third division per the commentary - vv14-15. Here in these verses, we continue to see how harshly God will deal with the false teachers described by Jude.  Jude writes how Enoch prophesied about the judgement of the wicked; while we don't know who specifically Enoch is referring to here, we do know that Enoch's judgement of the wicked is inclusive of those judged by Jude given Jude refers to those judged by Enoch as "also about these," implying there was a larger category of wicked to be condemned.  The sins of the wicked condemned by Jude (through reference to Enoch's prophecy) are described as deeds of ungodliness, committed by ungodly people in an ungodly way.  The word ungodly or ungodliness is used four times in two verses making it clear that God is not pleased with the false teachers described by Jude throughout his letter.  On the other hand, we can trust the prophecy of judgement by Enoch because Enoch "walked with God" (Genesis 5:24) and "pleased God" (Hebrews 11:5).   

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word to guide me so that I can walk with You as I know I exist to bring You glory.  I am grateful for how You provide Your Word, my salvation and so many more blessings - of course I am undeserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

These are hidden reefs 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; 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.

Jude

These are hidden reefs 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; 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.  Jude 12-13

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the second division per the commentary - vv12-13 - which the commentary titles God Condemns the Ungodly Because of Their Deception. The commentary shares that "[p]retending to be full of love and concern for others, they are egocentric and selfish. Stepping into positions of leadership, they are like destructive reefs hidden just below the surface. They are slow to reveal their true colors and commitments; and when they do, the body of Christ can be damaged or destroyed. A church, a college, a seminary, even a denomination is vulnerable if it is not vigilant in keeping its eyes open and its guard up."  The commentary then, referring to "waterless clouds" with clouds and wind but no rain, shares that "[t]hese false teachers promise liberty but enslave; they promise prosperity but impoverish; they promise refreshment and leave their followers parched; and they promise life but bring death."  Describing the text which compares false teachers to fruitless trees that wither and die, the commentary shares that "[t]hey project a false understanding of godliness and the spiritual life, and those who buy into their deception eventually discover they produce no good thing. Fruitless and rootless, rootless, dead top to bottom, they are uprooted and destroyed. They show no fruit of regeneration, no fruit of character, no fruit for King Jesus."  Referring to how the text describes false teachers as waves that crash and expose their sin, the commentary shares that "[t]hey make a lot of noise with great swelling words, but they do not have a life to back it up. They may tour and fill arenas, get on television and write books, blog and gain a following, but none of this proves their genuine faith." Finally, the text describes false teachers as washouts that do not produce anything eternal: "[f]alse teachers are shooting stars, here today and gone tomorrow. They burn bright for a night and then vanish into the midnight darkness, never to be seen or heard from again. Their history is short lived, leaving a legacy of no real significance. Because they wander about, these teachers show no consistency or reliability. They promise spiritual light; but they are aimless, erratic, and destined for God’s condemnation, which is described here as “the blackness of darkness” reserved forever. They may fool men, but they do not fool God."  We are encouraged by Jude to discern Truth including churches we attend and other influences we have.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of love and grace for me - giving me Truth and a church and Godly men and women who sharpen me and provide Godly examples.  Thank You Jesus!  I am grateful for such blessings!  Yet I am undeserving of such blessings and for my salvation. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

These are hidden reefs 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; 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.

Jude

These are hidden reefs 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; 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.  Jude 12-13

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on an unassisted review of the second division per the commentary - vv12-13. Referring to the false teaching that justifies their sexual immorality (v4), Jude continues to describe the fate that awaits these false teachers.  They are swept along by the wind, they bear no fruit and die, they are full of shame and eternal damnation awaits. This is certainly a bleak outlook and one that should motivate us to seek the salvation of others.  No one deserves this fate - God please help me boldly declare the gospel to unbelievers!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for my salvation - I deserve eternal damnation but while I was still hostile to You, I was saved and adopted into Your family as one of Your elect....thank You Jesus!  Amazing grace indeed!  I am not deserving of such grace and mercy by a long shot.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Jude

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. Jude 11

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the first division per the commentary - v11 - which the commentary describes with the title God Condemns the Ungodly Because of Their Decisions.  Scripture is full of examples of those condemned by God because of how they reject God.  False teachers, as describe by Jude, represent one such category of those condemned by God.  The commentary shares how these false teachers from Jude are "hateful, greedy, and rebellious."  They are compared by Jude to Cain as depicted in the commentary as "self-centered in character and consumed by self-love, [Cain] chose his way over God’s and in the process killed his brother. Guilty of fostering a man-made religion, he turned from God and turned on others."  Balaam is also used as a reference point by Jude for false teachers - the commentary points us to Numbers 22-24 where Balaam's story as a false teacher unfolds - he was simply seeking monetary gain. "People were a means to an end, and God killed him for it (see also Numbers 31:8)." V11 also describes Korah as a false teacher/leader who led the Israelites astray - Korah's story unfolds in Numbers 16. The commentary describes Korah as a "Levite who rejected the God-ordained spiritual authority of Moses and Aaron. As a result, God destroyed him, his household, and his followers. Like Korah, these men in Jude’s day were a law unto themselves, rebellious in heart and nonsubmissive in attitude. Like Korah, they would perish. Arrogance and pride are always on the radar screen for God’s certain condemnation."  We must always be on the lookout and be able to discern false teachers and teaching.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that gives me Truth so that You can reveal Yourself to me, speak to me, sharpen me, and make me more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide scripture and Truth.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

Jude

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. Jude 11

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on an unassisted review of the first division per the commentary - v11.  Here Jude warns us of the fate that befalls the false teachers discussed in the previous verses of Jude including v4 where Jude calls them out for how they "pervert[ed] the grace of our God into sensuality and den[ied]" the authority and sovereignty of Jesus Christ.  Jude further describes their sin by comparing them first to Cain whose offering to God failed to reflect a heart of faith and he killed his brother out of jealousy (see Genesis 4).  Second, Jude compared the false teachers to Balaam who sought reward from Balak, the king of Moab who was seeking a curse upon Israel as the Israelites were moving towards the promised land (see also here) - ultimately it was the Moabites themselves and their idol worship that drew Israel into sin.  Finally, Jude compares the false teachers of his day to Korah and the rebellion he led in the wilderness where Korah "usurp[ed] the authority of God and of those whom He has chosen to be leaders of His people." There are many contemporary equivalents to false teachers who pervert the gospel for their own gain and we must both carefully discern truth for ourselves and seek out churches and other influences that focus on Truth.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word, the church, wise counsel, and other resources/influences to help me discern and obey Truth.  Thank You Jesus!  I am blessed by the Truth.  Yet I am undeserving of the love and blessing that comes with the Truth.  My sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Jude

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Jude 10

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 8-10, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the third division per the commentary - v10.  The commentary emphasizes how humans often have "wrong thinking": "[a]rrogant and ignorant, [people] slander what they do not even know or understand—a reference to the angels of verse 8. Talking without thinking, without all the facts, and from emotion, pride, and selfish desires, they make themselves look like fools as they talk like fools." The commentary then goes on to describe how the fruit of wrong thinking which is the product of a heart not focused on God - we are referred to Proverbs 23:7.  The commentary then describes how false teaching can warp our heart towards God: [c]laiming a higher spiritual understanding, [false teachers] knowledge does not rise even above that of the animals. Claiming liberty and freedom, they are slaves and prisoners of their own lust and basic instincts. Claiming to be right, they could not be more wrong. Claiming to live for God, they live for themselves. Claiming to rise higher, they actually sink lower. Saying, “We are free in Christ,” they become chained and shackled by their own selfish desires, wants, and passions. Professing to exalt Christ, by their lives they embarrass him and bring shame to his name."  We are instead encouraged to be slaves to God as He owns us and this provides true freedom in Christ: "He died so that you and I would live for him (Philippians 1:21), and this will require that we are transformed by the constant renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). Thanks be to God that he did not leave us in our ignorance!"  We are encouraged to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion giving me a heart towards You.  Thank You Jesus! Yet I am undeserving of how You give me faith and my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and help love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my love, hunger and thirst for You and glorifying You.  Help Lisa and myself lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Jude

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Jude 10

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 8-10, with a focus on an unassisted review of the third division per the commentary - v10. I previously posted on this verse as part of a review of vv8-10. In my previous post I referenced a post from DesiringGod.com where "general revelation" is discussed - both mediate (external - i.e. creation) and immediate (internal - conscience).  The referenced post also discusses special revelation - which is defined as "information given to us in the Scriptures. Not everyone in the world possesses this information. Those who have heard it have had the benefit of hearing specific information about God and his plan of redemption." I am grateful that God has given me the gift of both hearing the gospel, and for making me one of His elect through salvation - thank You God!  I know this is a gift and not of my own doing so I should remain humble.  I must also - as Jude warns - be very careful of false teachers and the sinful influence they are to those whose faith is not certain - we do not want anyone to not be saved.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - You loved me while still hostile to You and then You saved me...and You pour out Your mercies on me ceaselessly - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings. My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Jude

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. Jude 8

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a commentary-assisted review of Jude 8-10, with a focus on the first division - v8.  V8 is an example where Jude points to lives we should not emulate and avoid the influences these lives pursue - self-satisfying (vs seeking pleasure in the Lord), sexual immorality, seeking glory for oneself (vs submitting and surrendering first and foremost to God, and then to earthly authorities God places in our lives), and blaspheming God and Christians. The commentary immediately highlights how the contemporary church too often mimics the world and its views and this is what Jude warns us about.  We are referred to 1 Peter 1:16 and 2:9 where the church is called to be holy and set apart from the world.  The commentary describes how in v8 we see sins of rebellion against God and His sovereignty.  This is squarely an issue today in the world as God's authority is roundly rejected in favor of anything goes morality. V8 is connected to v7 where God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is referenced. False teachers claim authority they do not have - using freedom from Old Testament rituals as an example of this freedom - but they went too far with this freedom.  We are owned by God, bought with a price (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and we exist solely to bring glory to God.  The commentary shares: "Jude rejects such unbiblical defiance, and so should we. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead establishes him as the one with all authority in heaven and on earth...and those who are called by his name gladly submit to this authority for their good and his glory."  We are encouraged to abide in Proverbs 29:18 where true freedom lies in obedience to God (vs being slaves to sin).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You give me and other believers true freedom - freedom from sin and death, and this gives me life to the full now and for eternity with You in Heaven.  What amazing gifts - the most amazing anyone could ever have.  I am undeserving of such gifts and blessing as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.