Kept for Christ: Kept Until the End

Jude 1:17–25 | Kept for Christ – Part 3

In the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, American Billy Mills stunned the world by winning gold in the 10,000-meter race. But long after Mills had stepped off the track, another runner—Ranatunge Karunananda of Sri Lanka—was still circling the stadium, nearly four laps behind.

Karunananda was unwell that day, and many expected him to quit. Some in the crowd even laughed and heckled. But he kept running. Lap after lonely lap. At first, the crowd mocked him, but something changed. Slowly, the jeers turned into applause. By the final lap, the crowd was on its feet, cheering him on. When he finally crossed the finish line, he was exhausted, but he finished.

When asked why he didn’t give up, Karunananda replied,

“The Olympic spirit is not to win, but to take part. So, I completed my rounds.”

His perseverance so deeply moved the Japanese public that his story was added to school textbooks. Why? Because perseverance—especially when no one expects it, especially when it’s hard—is powerful.

Many Christians today feel like Karunananda. Outpaced by the world. Tempted to quit. Mocked or misunderstood. But the closing words of Jude’s short letter urge us not to give up, not to give in, and not to be swept away by falsehood. We are called to press on, knowing that God is able to keep us until the very end.


The Threat Is Real—But So Is The Hope
Throughout this series in Jude, we’ve seen that the greatest threats to the Gospel often come from within the Church. False teachers—those who distort Scripture for their own gain—are not always easy to identify. They use Christian language, quote the Bible, and talk about Jesus. And that’s what makes them dangerous.

It’s not just what they say—it’s how they live. Their lives don’t reflect the way of King Jesus. That’s why the best defense against false teaching isn’t just having good arguments—it’s living a faithful life. The way of Jesus is not only something we believe, it’s something we embody.

So how do we remain faithful in a world of distortion and distraction?

Let’s walk through Jude 1:17–25.

1. Remember the Warnings (vv. 17–19)
Jude calls his readers to remember. Last week, we were told to remember the Old Testament stories of judgment. Now, Jude reminds us of the apostles’ words. Paul warned in Acts 20:29–30 that false teachers would arise from among the believers. 1 Timothy 4:1–3 predicts the same.

We shouldn’t be surprised that false teaching exists. We’re in the “last days”—the time between Jesus’ ascension and return. And the enemy won’t sit back while the kingdom of God expands.

False teachers are marked by:

• Mockery of truth

• Self-centered desires

• A claim to be spiritual, but a lack of the Spirit

You can recognize them by their character—not just their charisma.

2. Remain in the Faith (vv. 20–21)

Jude shifts from describing the deceivers to instructing the faithful.

“But you, dear friends…”

We are not like them. We are to live differently. And here’s how:

• Build yourselves up in the faith — Grow in your knowledge of Scripture. Study in community. Help one another.

• Pray in the Holy Spirit — Stay connected to God. Prayer is not performance—it’s dependence.

• Keep yourselves in God’s love — Obedience is how we remain in God’s love. Stay close to Jesus.

• Wait for the mercy of Jesus — Hope is not passive. We wait expectantly, with endurance.

Remaining faithful is a group effort. Discipleship is not a solo race. It’s a community endeavor.


3. Reach Out with Mercy (vv. 22–23)
Not only are we to stay strong, but we’re also called to reach out. Jude identifies three groups:

• The doubting – Show them mercy. Be patient. Walk with them.

• The endangered – Snatch them from the fire. Be bold in truth-telling.

• The entangled – Be cautious. Love them without getting pulled into error.

This is gritty, grace-filled work. And it’s risky. False teaching is seductive. I’ve felt the pull myself. That’s why we must reach out with mercy and wisdom. Don’t ignore error, but don’t approach it with arrogance either.

4. Rest in God’s Power (vv. 24–25)
Jude began this letter by telling us we are kept by King Jesus. Now he ends with a doxology—a beautiful proclamation of God’s power:

“Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, without blemish and with great joy…”

You and I are not kept by willpower. We are kept by grace. God is the one who will get us through.

He is:

• Able to protect

• Able to present us blameless

• Worthy of glory, majesty, power, and authority

That’s why we have hope. We’re not just contending for the faith—we’re being kept for Christ. God’s power will hold us until the end.


How Do We Remain Faithful Today?
If Jude’s message is for us (and it is), then what should we do? Here are four practices:

1. Stay Anchored in the Word

Study the Bible—especially in community. Use a study Bible or a commentary to deepen your understanding. False teaching often sounds good, so test everything.

2. Cultivate Spiritual Disciplines

Prayer, fasting, generosity, worship, and service help you stay connected to Jesus—the true vine. These habits build spiritual resilience.

3. Engage in Compassionate Outreach

Don’t just guard yourself—reach out to others. Encourage, disciple, and serve. We are called to reflect Christ’s mercy to the world.

4. Trust in God’s Sovereignty

He will finish what He started. Your hope isn’t in your effort alone—it’s in His keeping power. That’s why we keep going.

Don’t Quit. Don’t Drift. You Are Kept.
In a world full of lies, confusion, and false promises, how do we remain faithful to King Jesus?

We:

• Remember the warnings

• Remain in the faith

• Reach out with mercy

• Rest in God’s power

That’s how we stay safe. That’s how we press on. That’s how we run our race—even when it’s hard, even when we feel alone.

Like Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13–14:

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

We’re not running alone. We’re not running in vain. We are kept—until the very end.

Weekly Challenge:
This week, pick one chapter of Scripture and read it alongside notes from a study Bible or commentary. Let your understanding grow. One of the ways God protects us from error is by helping us go deeper into truth.

Kept for Christ: The Danger Within

 

Have you ever followed someone you trusted—only to realize too late they led you in the wrong direction?

Imagine you’re on a hike in a dense forest. The path is narrow, and you’re following a trusted guide who knows the way to safety. But then someone else steps in, speaking confidently, using familiar trail markers, and promising an easier path. You follow—only to end up stuck in a swamp, disoriented and in danger.

This is the danger Jude warns us about: false teachers who sound convincing but lead people away from the truth of Jesus.

Last week, we began our series in the book of Jude, exploring how we are called, loved, and kept by God—and how we’re charged with defending the faith against those who distort it (Jude 1:1–4). This week, we dig deeper into who those false teachers are, what they look like, and how we can guard against them. Jude 1:5–16 is a sobering reminder: the greatest threat to the Gospel often comes from within the church, not from outside it.


Jude’s Urgent Warning

Jude, the servant of King Jesus and brother of James, writes with urgency. False teachers have slipped into the church—quietly, dangerously—and their influence is spreading. In these verses, Jude uses vivid illustrations from Israel’s history, angelic rebellion, and even natural imagery to expose their character and highlight the judgment they face.

Let’s walk through the text in three movements: Pattern of Judgment, Character Exposed, and Hidden Dangers.

1. A Pattern of Judgment (Jude 1:5–7)

Jude begins by reminding readers of stories they already know:

• Israel—freed from Egypt, yet judged for unbelief and rebellion.
• Angels—who abandoned their roles and were cast into darkness.
• Sodom and Gomorrah—destroyed for their immorality and rejection of God’s order.

Each example serves as a warning: God takes rebellion seriously. And just like in these historical events, the false teachers in the church are inviting the same fate—for themselves and for those who follow them.

These aren’t harmless misunderstandings. Jude is clear: false teaching leads to destruction.

2. Character Exposed (Jude 1:8–11)

Next, Jude unmasks the character of these deceptive leaders. They:

• Rely on dreams and visions rather than God’s Word.
• Reject spiritual authority—even the angels who delivered God’s law.
• Defile the body—pursuing desires over holiness.

Jude contrasts their arrogance with the humility of Michael the Archangel. Even when disputing with Satan, Michael doesn’t take matters into his own hands—he appeals to God’s authority. False teachers, by contrast, act on impulse, rejecting all accountability.

Jude groups these deceivers with three infamous figures from Scripture:

• Cain—who allowed jealousy and anger to consume him.
• Balaam—who used spiritual influence for personal gain.
• Korah—who rejected God’s appointed leaders and led others into rebellion.

Each of these men caused division and destruction. Jude says: the false teachers are just like them.

3. Hidden Dangers (Jude 1:12–13)

Here Jude shifts to powerful metaphors to show just how dangerous these people are:

• Hidden reefs—they look safe but can destroy the ship.
• Waterless clouds—they promise nourishment but deliver nothing.
• Fruitless trees—they may look alive but are twice dead.
• Wild waves—chaotic, destructive, full of shame.
• Wandering stars—guideless and doomed.

These individuals were even present at the early church’s love feasts—fellowship meals tied to communion. They blended in. That’s the danger. They’re not outside critics—they’re insiders. And their selfishness, false promises, and spiritual manipulation wreak havoc on the faith of others.

4. Their Judgment is Certain (Jude 1:14–16)

Jude closes this section by quoting Enoch, who prophesied judgment against the ungodly. These people don’t just err—they actively oppose God. They:

• Stir discontent.
• Chase their own desires.
• Use flattery to manipulate and control.

Their words may sound spiritual, but their lives reveal the truth. They are not pointing to Jesus—they are using Jesus’ name for their own gain.


How Do We Guard Against False Teaching?

This is a heavy passage, but it’s meant to wake us up—not frighten us. Jude gives us clear ways to stay vigilant:

1. Be Grounded in Scripture

Jude says, “I want to remind you…” This assumes they’ve been taught the truth before. But reminders only help if we’re familiar with the original.

Don’t just read the Bible—study it.

Equip yourself with a good study Bible and a trustworthy one-volume commentary. These tools help you interpret Scripture and discern truth from error.


2. Be Wary of Teachers Who Rely on Private Revelation

When someone constantly says, “God told me…” or bases teaching on dreams and visions, be cautious.

Scripture tells us that prophets should be evaluated (1 Corinthians 14:29) and to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Often, these claims can lead to spiritual manipulation or emotional abuse, especially when paired with authoritative language that bypasses accountability.

3. Watch How They Treat People

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

False teachers may talk about love, but their lives tell another story.

Watch for patterns of pride, control, abuse, or manipulation. If their ministry leaves people shipwrecked, wounded, or confused—don’t ignore that. Truth and love always go together.

Final Thoughts: Be Alert. Be Rooted. Be Ready.

The most dangerous teaching isn’t the loudest or most outrageous—it’s the one that quietly replaces Christ with something else, all while quoting Scripture and sounding spiritual. That’s the danger within.

Jude reminds us: God will judge those who distort His truth. But we are not left defenseless.

We have the Holy Spirit, the Scriptures, and one another.

So ask yourself:

• Am I grounded enough in God’s Word to recognize error?
• Am I choosing teachers who faithfully handle Scripture?
• Do I see the Gospel shaping their lives—not just their words?

Big Idea: We must take seriously the danger false teachers pose to our faith.

Not all teaching is good teaching. And if we’re not careful, we can be led away from Jesus—even by those who speak in His name.

A Challenge for the Week: Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth.

This task is too big for us to handle on our own. False teachers don’t wear name tags—and their teachings can be hard to detect. But Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would help us remember His words and discern what is true (John 14:26).

So this week, as you read and reflect on Scripture, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you.Ask for wisdom. Ask for discernment. Ask to be shaped by the truth.

Closing Thought:

The greatest threat to the Gospel isn’t out there in the world—it’s when the truth is twisted within the Church.

Let’s be a people who contend for the faith—with grace-filled hearts, eyes fixed on Jesus, and lives that reflect the truth we proclaim.

Stay rooted. Stay alert. Stay faithful.

And above all, stay close to King Jesus.

Kept for Christ: Contend for the Faith

 Are you ready to defend what matters most?

In April 2022, Jacob Kingsley was enjoying a Cincinnati Reds game with his wife and their 11-month-old son, Shepherd. Shepherd was strapped to Jacob’s chest, happily sipping from his bottle. As they sat near the field, Jacob’s wife nervously asked, “Are you watching for foul balls?” Confidently, Jacob replied, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

Moments later, a foul ball came screaming their way. With one hand still holding Shepherd’s bottle, Jacob snatched the ball out of the air with the other. The crowd erupted. Social media dubbed him a legend. Shepherd? He didn’t even flinch—he just kept drinking. Jacob was ready. He knew his role, and he acted quickly to protect what mattered most.

That’s the image we need as we step into the book of Jude.

In a time of subtle deception and creeping compromise, Christians are called to a similar kind of readiness—not just to passively believe the Gospel, but to actively protect and preserve it. Jude’s urgent letter calls us to stay alert, rooted in King Jesus, and ready to defend the faith when it’s under threat.

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A Timely Warning for Today’s Church

Jude, the brother of James and a servant of Jesus, originally set out to write a letter celebrating the joy of salvation. But a greater need arose—false teachers had quietly slipped into the church, twisting God’s grace and undermining the authority of Jesus. Instead of encouragement, Jude had to write a warning.

And here’s the striking part: The threat was not from the outside world—but from within.

This is a sobering reminder. We often fixate on cultural opposition, but the most dangerous distortions of the Gospel arise inside the Church. That’s why Jude’s message is just as urgent today as it was in the first century.

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Three Truths to Help Us Defend the Faith

Jude 1:1–4 gives us three essential truths for defending the faith.

1. Know Who You Are (vv. 1–2)

Identity comes before action. Jude introduces himself with humility—not as the brother of Jesus, but as His servant. He writes to believers who are:

• Called by God – not because of their initiative, but because of God’s grace.

• Loved by the Father – their value doesn’t come from performance, but from His covenant love.

• Kept for Jesus – protected and preserved by God for His Kingdom.

If we truly know who we are—citizens of God’s Kingdom—then we’ll be motivated to defend what truly matters. We are not just spectators in the faith; we are participants in God’s mission.

2. Understand the Urgency (v. 3)

Jude had hoped to write a joyful letter, but instead, he felt compelled to issue a warning. The truth of the Gospel—the once-for-all message about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection—was under attack.

Defending the faith isn’t just about correcting error. It’s about living faithfully. Our lives must reflect the truth of the Gospel. If we don’t stand firm in it, others may be misled and miss the Kingdom.

This “faith” is not merely personal opinion—it’s the shared, unchanging truth handed down from Jesus to the apostles, and to us through Scripture. That’s why we must defend it with clarity, conviction, and compassion.

3. Recognize the Threat (v. 4)

Jude says ungodly people had wormed their way into the church. They weren’t easily noticed because they used familiar language. But they twisted God’s grace into permission for sin, and they denied the authority of Jesus—even while speaking about Him.

We must be discerning. Many false teachings sound spiritual, quote Scripture, and appear biblical—but they deny God’s holiness, excuse sin, and make the Gospel about us rather than King Jesus.

As one preacher once said, “The most dangerous teaching often uses the most Scripture—but never explains it.” If we aren’t deeply familiar with the true Gospel, we’ll fall for clever counterfeits.

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The Call to Courage

Just like Jacob Kingsley reached out to protect his son with speed and precision, we are called to protect the Gospel—not with fear or aggression, but with a deep love for the truth and for others.

Ask yourself:

• Do I know the core truths of the faith well enough to live them?

• Am I grounded in Scripture so I can recognize error?

• Where am I tempted to misuse grace or soften the truth?

Let’s be clear: defending the faith isn’t just for pastors and theologians. It’s for all of us who have been called, loved, and kept by Christ. We are part of God’s defense line in this generation.

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Final Challenge

Pray that God would raise up faithful defenders of the faith—men and women who live with courage, clarity, and compassion. Commit yourself to faithfully following Jesus, not just in belief, but in practice.

The urgency that compelled Jude to write still rings true today. There are people in the Church—today—who twist Scripture for personal gain and lead others astray. Be alert. Stay rooted in the truth. Live the Gospel.

Know the truth. Live the truth. Defend the faith.

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Prayer Response:

• Thank God for the Gospel and the faith you have because of it.

• Ask God to strengthen your understanding and resolve.

• Commit to faithfully following Jesus and standing for His truth.

Let’s not merely be church attenders or students of Scripture. Let’s be guardians of the faith—ready to act, bold in love, and unshakably grounded in King Jesus.

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“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else…”

— Jude 1:3, NLT

Let’s take Jude’s words seriously. We are saved, yes—but we are also kept for Christ and called to contend for the faith.

Stay alert. Stay rooted. Stay ready.