Jude is a power, packed message about God's anger toward false teachers. They are 'wolves in sheep's clothing', who are interested only in self-gratification. They rationalize every truth through human reasoning in order to satisfy their own conscience. In other words, 'they change the truth for a lie'.
Jude 17 uses a neat word to describe these false teachers: scoffers. What are scoffers? Well according to its Greek meaning, they are people who do not believe that God will judge, (A Commentary on The Letters of 2nd Peter and Jude; Peter H. Davids; pp. 88).
It is hard to get our heads around the judgments of God. Many simply will not accept Him on that level. When you know God closely and walk in step with His Spirit you probably take on His heart - which is that none should perish, but everyone come to repentance. You want the best for everyone, and that is understandable.
Some though, scoffers, refuse to believe that God judges because of their own involvement in sinful activities. They reason out that God is a God of love and love has no angry motives, therefore God really does not judge. Sure, the Old Testament presents a somewhat angry God who continually pours out His wrath upon evil nations and even upon His own chosen people. But scoffers will reason that this was simply a cultural belief of that era of time. All of the nations of that time served gods whom they believed would punish them if their activities and conquests were not successful according to the will of that particular God.
But the judgment of our God exercises judgment not specifically toward people. His judgment is first and foremost against sinful nature. He blesses all humanity with the special gift of free will; which basically means that we can choose to love Him, or we can choose to follow the pattern of Adam and Eve and reject His perfect and holy will.
Where have I recently heard the espression, "God does not judge?" Oh yes! Oprah Winfrey does not believe in a God who judges. She became disillusioned about the Jewish/Christian God when a preacher stated that our God is a jealous God. So she turned away from a scriptural belief, and wrapped herself up in the thinking of New Age Masters who teach a different type of spirituality.
Whenever you hear someone, or read someone, who claims that God does not judge, beware! Our God is the epitome of perfect righteousness, and perfect righteousness will not turn a blind eye to the destruction of sin. Sin destroys all of God's creation including humanity. To save His beautiful creation from those who would seek to claim it and own it as their own for their own selfish reasons, in the last days God will pour out the fullness His wrath.
Remember: "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
Blessings,
-Leo
AMEN!!!Thank you for this letter,I believe we are living in the days of many scoffers.
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