Monday, July 7, 2025

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.

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Sunday Prayer: Knowing God Through Love




1 John 4:7–8 (CSB)


“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”


Prayer:

Father of Love,

You have revealed Yourself to us through the gift of love—most clearly in the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son. Teach us to love as You love: not with words only, but with action, sacrifice, and grace.


Soften our hearts toward one another. Let the way we speak, serve, forgive, and show kindness bear witness to the truth that we know You. When we are tempted to hold grudges or withhold compassion, remind us that to truly know You is to walk in love.


Forgive us, Lord, for the times we have failed to love. Rekindle in us the desire to reflect Your heart in a world marked by division and pain. May Your Spirit shape us into a people who love without condition—because You are love, and we are Yours.


In the name of Jesus, who loved us first,

Amen.

Friday, July 4, 2025

The Not-So-Self-Evident Truth


When Thomas Jefferson penned the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” he framed a vision that would define the United States. These words from the Declaration of Independence are among the most iconic in American history, often quoted as the bedrock of our nation’s values. But how “self-evident” is the idea that all people are created equal? A closer look at nature, history, and the cultural context of the Founding Generation suggests that this truth is far from obvious—and its origins may lie in a source many overlook: the Christian faith.

Nature’s Inequality vs. the Idea of Equality

If we observe the natural world, the notion of equality doesn’t leap out at us. In fact, nature often highlights inequality. Humans vary widely in physical attributes—height, strength, beauty—and in intellectual capacities, talents, and abilities. Some are born with exceptional gifts, while others face significant challenges from birth. If anything, nature seems to emphasize differences, not sameness. So where did Jefferson and the Founding Generation get the idea that all people are created equal?

The answer lies not in the observable world but in the philosophical and spiritual framework that shaped their thinking. For the Founders, the concept of equality wasn’t derived from empirical observation but from a deeper belief: that every individual is endowed with inherent worth by their Creator. This idea, revolutionary in its implications, didn’t emerge in a vacuum. It was deeply rooted in the Christian worldview that permeated the culture of 18th-century America.

The Christian Foundation of Equality

The New Testament, in particular, provides a theological basis for the equality of all people. One striking example is Colossians 3:11 (CSB), which states, “In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.” 

This passage, along with similar teachings throughout the New Testament, emphasizes the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of social status, ethnicity, or background. In a world divided by class, race, and power, these words were radical. They laid the groundwork for the belief that every person is equal in the eyes of God—a belief that would eventually shape the moral and political ideals of the Founding Generation.

This Christian influence is evident in the Declaration’s assertion that rights come from a Creator, not from human institutions or natural hierarchies. The idea that every person possesses “unalienable Rights” to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness reflects a worldview where human value is grounded in divine creation, not in worldly status or ability. While the Founders drew on Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, the concept of equality they embraced was filtered through a distinctly Christian lens, one that saw every soul as equally precious in God’s sight.

The Imperfect Application of a Revolutionary Idea

Of course, the Founding Generation’s commitment to equality was far from perfect. The same men who proclaimed that “all men are created equal” lived in a society that tolerated slavery, restricted voting rights, and marginalized entire groups based on race. This glaring contradiction between principle and practice is a stain on their legacy. Yet, it’s worth noting that the ideals they articulated laid a foundation for future generations to challenge these injustices. The Declaration’s words became a rallying cry for abolitionists, suffragists, and civil rights activists who sought to hold America accountable to its own stated values.

The imperfections of the Founders don’t negate the significance of their contribution. By declaring the idea of equality as a God-given truth, they planted a seed that would grow over time, inspiring movements to expand liberty and justice to all. The Christian belief in the equal worth of every individual, rooted in scriptures like Colossians 3:11, provided a moral framework that made such progress possible.

Why This Matters Today

In our modern world, the idea that all people are created equal is often taken for granted, as if it’s a universal truth that everyone naturally accepts. But history and nature tell a different story. Without a foundation like the one provided by the Christian worldview, the concept of equality might not have taken root in the way it did. As we navigate contemporary debates about justice, rights, and human dignity, it’s worth remembering the spiritual origins of these ideas. They remind us that equality is not just a political principle but a profound moral conviction—one that calls us to see every person as bearing the image of their Creator.

The words of Jefferson and the biblical teachings that inspired them continue to challenge us. They push us to bridge the gap between our ideals and our reality, to strive for a world where the equality of all is not just proclaimed but lived out. The Founding Generation may not have fully realized this vision, but they gave us the tools to build on their foundation. It’s up to us to keep constructing.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Using Our Freedom


In today’s world, freedom is often misunderstood. Many see it as a license for individualism—a chance to chase personal desires without regard for others. Unfortunately, this self-centered view of freedom dominates modern culture, but it is a view that offers a shallow version of true freedom. 

Here is a question for you to consider: “What if real freedom isn’t about doing whatever we want, but about giving ourselves to others in love?”

It shouldn’t surprise us that the Bible offers a countercultural perspective. In Galatians 5:13, Paul writes, “For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (CSB)

In this passage the Apostle Paul challenges us to rethink freedom. The reason we have a will, the ability to choose, is not to have an excuse to indulge in every desire that comes our way, but a calling to lovingly serve others. When we do this we are reflecting God’s love and compassion to those around us. Jesus modeled this way of living perfectly. He came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45), showing that true freedom lies in the ability to choose the right thing rather than being a slave to our desires.

Author Erwin McManus captures this idea in Uprising: “Our freedom must never be about us alone. Freedom is the gift of serving others out of love… You are free to love without limit, to forgive, to be merciful, to be generous, to be compassionate, to risk, to sacrifice, to enjoy, and to live” (p. 12). McManus paints freedom as a boundless gift—one that allows us to mirror God’s character and transform how we relate the world around us.

I believe that when we exercise our freedom to serve, we align ourselves with the life God designed for us. By choosing to use our freedom to live a life of love, we glimpse the nature of the New Creation. We demonstrate the character of God, who is love (1 John 4:8). This isn’t just a feel-good idea; it’s a perspective that profoundly reshapes our lives. Jesus exemplified this freedom during his time on earth through his teachings, healing, and selfless sacrifices for others. He broke the chains of sin and death, not only to rescue us for sin and its consequences, but also so that we could join him in proclaiming the Gospel.

What does this mean for us? 

First, true freedom, as God sees it, isn’t a solitary pursuit. It’s not about seeking happiness at the expense of others. Instead, it involves using our time, resources, and energy to love those around us, reflecting God’s character. True freedom requires courage to forgive when it’s difficult, mercy when it’s undeserved, and generosity when it costs us. It’s the willingness to take risks, sacrifice, and find joy in a life dedicated to others.

Second, true freedom ultimately revolves around choosing to do the right thing, rather than being a slave to our desires. It’s impossible to love when our desires teach us to be selfish. Christian freedom comes from recognizing our ability to say “No” to our desires and choose to focus on people instead.

In a “me-first” culture, this freedom stands out. It may not be loud or flashy, but it is transformative. It doesn’t just change our lives; it changes the world. So, let’s rethink how we use our freedom today. Let’s love without boundaries, serve with open hearts, and live in a way that reflects the One who set us free.

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