At Risk in the Community - Jude - Part One

At Risk in the Community – Jude – Part One

A Lingering Danger in the Church

The inability to distinguish clearly between the principles and actions of the Church and those of secular society depicts one of the Church’s greatest spiritual needs today.  Debatably, there is no discernible difference between the behavior of believers and the average citizen.  More regrettably, the Church mimics the world rather than being the “called out community” (ecclesia) whose existence is fundamentally grounded in the will and service of our Lord Jesus Christ.  To resolve this intractable dilemma, the Church must return to its basic purpose as a biblically based New Testament church operating according to the teachings of our Lord. 

Reaffirming the Bible as the rule of faith and practice resolves a number of attendant problems for the local church.  The moral and ethical laxity in the pews arises from protracted biblical illiteracy.  Plainly speaking, most congregants do not know the Bible well enough to follow it.  They are not acquainted with the commands of Christ.  They cannot explain adequately the reasons why obeying our Lord supercedes the moral relativism and ethical aimlessness of the dominant culture. 

Ignorance of the scriptures precludes the development of a vibrant relationship with the Lord.  Evangelism inevitably suffers when believers do not understand The Great Commission.  They fail to commit the resources of time, money and service to actualize this crucial purpose of the Church.  It stands to reason then that countless lives remain untouched by Christ’s love.  Additionally, disregard for disciplined study of the Word of God creates vulnerability for the average believer who may be exploited by the crass commercialism practiced in several sectors of the Church.  Theologically vapid and biblically ignorant sermons encourage spiritual versions of “rugged individualism” and the American dream to the detriment of serving God by sharing His love with others.  This gospel of wealth and health, in addition to spiritualized motivational speaking, tends to be apolitical and ahistorical.  Thereby, it detracts from the prophetic, biblical command to advocate for a more just and equitable society.  The Church can redress all of these dilemmas by reclaiming its uncompromising biblical roots.

Biblical Background

The book of Jude materializes out of a context of protracted false teaching in the Church.  As the first century nears an end and the original apostles die, preserving the legitimacy of the primary gospel message  becomes a substantial challenge for the growing church.  This reality produces a vacuum that many false teachers gladly occupy.  For selfish, financial, social and ecclesiastical gain, these men purposefully distort the gospel of Christ.

In response, Jude desires to help believers who are at-risk in discerning the content of false and true teachings.  The book reminds disciples to cling steadfastly to the orthodox faith that the apostles bequeathed to them.  Moreover, he encourages them to persevere in their belief in the divinity and saving work of Jesus Christ.  Interestingly, Christian heresy usually arises from a failure to acknowledge unwaveringly the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth.  In conjunction with detailing the forthcoming judgment on false teachers, Jude offers strategies for reclaiming victims and other at-risk believers of these distortions of the gospel.