Explore the Bible By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
ON GUARD
2 Peter 2:1–3; Jude 1:16–25
Exposed (2 Pet. 2:1–3; Jude 1:16)
Peter is warning the Church. The Church has a Chief Shepherd (Jesus), shepherds, sheep and, unfortunately, wolves. Martin Luther said: “With the wolves you cannot be too severe, and with the weak sheep you cannot be too gentle.”
Peter describes the false teachers who secretly bring into the Church destructive heresies. A heresy is when someone who claims to be a Christian denies a first-order truth taught in the Bible. Heretics secretly introduce false teachings into the Church to lead people astray. These heresies will be contrary to what Christ and the apostles laid down as foundational truths, resulting in spiritual ruin rather than life.
Their sensuality will appeal to many people. They will advocate loose living by teaching low standards on sin. These false teachers do not seek to restrain sin. Oftentimes they will encourage sensual living. The result of their false teaching is that the way of truth will be blasphemed. No fear of God leads to the slander of God. Blaspheming includes judging what God did. False teachers judge God. They act as if God must give an account to them.
Greed also drives the false teachers. They spell the word prophet as “profit.” They exploit believers with their false words for the sake of material gain. Throughout history false teachers have been characterized by sexual sin, a lust for money and dishonesty. The Bible assures us that all such false teachers will face condemnation and destruction.
Predicted (Jude 1:17–19)
Jude also warns the Church. He calls them “beloved,” emphasizing his personal concern for the readers and God’s love for them. Jude wants them to remember the apostles had predicted the emergence of ungodly scoffers within the Church during the last days. These scoffers come from within, having become part of the Church by deceptive means and acting like true Christians. But they are led astray by following their subjective feelings and ungodly passions that are contrary to the Word of God.
These scoffers cause divisions and are described as worldly people who are devoid of the Holy Spirit. These worldly people are causing divisions within the Church over many things, but especially over issues of doctrine and morality. Jude describes them as unbelievers, natural men who do not have the Holy Spirit. We know from Romans 8:9 that the presence of the Holy Spirit is a mark of a Christian. People who lack the Holy Spirit do not belong to God.
This secret infiltration should not catch Jesus’ followers off guard. The apostles had forewarned the disciples that false teachers would arise. Foreseeing the arrival of false teachers should strengthen the faith of the Church since it confirms the truth of the faith that was delivered to the saints.
Countered (Jude 1:20–25)
Jesus’ followers are to keep themselves in the love of God by growing strong doctrinally, persevering in prayer and “waiting” for the Lord’s coming. Believers are to keep themselves in God’s love, but Jude writes that God Himself keeps His people (1:1–2, 24–25). God promises to keep and preserve the faith of His own people, so that no true believer will ever lose His salvation.
We are called to show mercy to everyone, even our opponents. To save some people involves snatching them out of the fire of God’s judgment. Others caught in immorality also should be shown mercy, yet with fear, lest the Christian be influenced for evil by the person he is seeking to restore. We should hate the sin but treat the sinner with mercy.
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