A Necessity (Jude 3, 4)

Having greeted and blessed his readers, Jude proceeded to state the purpose of his epistle. We noted last week that Jude was very eager to share with the saints the blessings of their common salvation. However, a far more urgent need forced his pen in another direction.

We are in a raging spiritual war and we hardly notice. If guns were blazing and bombs exploding all around us, we would be taking decisive action. A spiritual war is unseen and unfelt but just as real and deadly. In Satan’s futile effort to prevent God’s repair of sin’s devastating effects on creation and His progress in retaking the kingdom he usurped, he has launched an all-out assault on the instruments, the home and the church, God has chosen to accomplish this plan. The enemy believes that he can stop God’s plan if he infiltrates the church and destroys its effectiveness. God is sovereign, and although Satan may do much damage, he is already defeated. He is cunning and powerful, which makes him very dangerous, nonetheless.

Jude’s epistle is aimed at awakening the churches to Satan’s crafty schemes against them. The key verse of this small book is verse 3, particularly the exhortation “to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” Three very important things stand out: (1) the need for the appeal, (2) the action appealed, and (3) the importance of the action. The issue prompting this call to action is found in verse four: “For certain people have crept in unnoticed . . . ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

The enemy has infiltrated the church with false teachers and false believers; therefore, the saints need to be aware of his methods and discerning of his doctrines. It is far more important to defend the faith than to celebrate it. Failure to contend has left modern evangelical Christianity almost unrecognizable compared to the early church. It is as Paul warned that in the final hour there would be a great departure from the faith (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1–5). Judas betrayed Jesus; false professors betray His body, the church. That is why the Bible warns us, Jesus prays for us (John 17:11, 12, 15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3), and God guards us (1 Peter 1:5), but we also must be prepared to withstand in the evil day (Ephesians 6:10–18).

Jude urges his readers to earnestly contend for the faith (from epi and agonidzomai). The saints are to fight with great savagery to maintain the purity of truth. Such action calls for the saints to devote themselves wholly to this project. It must not be left to others to undertake. Every believer must set himself to watch (1 Corinthians 10:12; Ephesians 5:15; Hebrews 3:12), pray (Romans 15:30), and fight (Colossians 1:29; 1 Timothy 6:12). This faith, this truth concerning salvation, has been delivered to us once and for all time. It is a great treasure that has been entrusted to us. We have a great responsibility (2 Timothy 1:13, 14).

Our Common Salvation (Jude 3)

After the initial greeting (vv. 1, 2), Jude proceeds to preface the occasion of his epistle (v. 3). He first expresses his original desire to speak of their common salvation. Three things should grab our attention. First, Jude addresses his intention to those he labeled as beloved. We must not pass this off as scenery that comes with the territory, missing its significance. The term reflects the very ground of our common salvation, resting in Christ’s “new” commandment that we love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34). We are to be operating by this core principle because all believers are united in the same body under the one head, Jesus Christ.

The brotherhood of Christ has far greater implications than that of mere family. Siblings share a mutually unifying principle, the same mother, and thus belong to one family. However, as we all have seen, siblings can be divided in their interests and affections. Believers, on the other hand, have a far more intimate relationship, being members of the same body (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:4–6). Dysfunctionality in one’s family can be painful but nothing like a disruption in one’s own body (1 Corinthians 12:26; see Ephesians 5:28–30). Another consideration is that in the family, children are expected to honor parents by respect and obedience (Ephesians 6:1–4). Children do not always do that, but in the body, all members are wholly subject to the will of the head (Mark 3:35; Romans 12:2).

Second, Jude demonstrates the attitude that we are to have in pursuing care of the body. He writes, “I was very eager to write to you.” The AV has, “I gave all diligence.” This term speaks of earnestness in pursuing a common interest, of doing so sacrificially to promote the common good (2 Corinthians 12:15). This attitude implies seeking out every opportunity and all means to do whatever is good for those in the body, promoting its welfare at all costs. Peter urged the elders to exercise oversight with a “ready mind” (1 Peter 5:2), which the ESV translates as eagerly (note also 1 Corinthians 9:16, 17). The importance of this carefulness and earnestness is aggravated both by the evil of our times and the lateness of the hour (Ephesians 5:16).

Third, Jude’s heart or priority was the common salvation. So, what was this “common salvation”? It consisted of the shared experience of the one body in Christ, as previously addressed. Peter referred to it as “like precious faith” or “faith of equal standing” (2 Peter 1:1). All who are saved by Christ are united in the communion of faith, the fellowship of the saints in light (1 John 1:7). Further, Jude’s concern was for those in the same body but in a distant location, so he wrote to these about this glorious faith “once for all delivered to the saints.” A true believer cannot get enough of this wonderful news. He cannot hear enough, study enough, or converse enough about this common salvation. It captivates his attention, thrills his heart, engages his mind, and overwhelms his emotions because it is superior to everything else.

Mercy, Peace, and Love (Jude 2)

The introductory benediction for the recipients of this epistle (v. 2) is unique among the biblical epistles. “Grace (charis) and peace (eirene)” is the typical form used by Paul, Peter, and John. Jude alone uses mercy (eleos), peace (eirene) and love (agape). We must be very careful not to ready Scripture with modern concepts of biblical terms but to see them from the understanding of those who wrote or spoke them in the beginning. Jude was a Jew writing in Greek with a Hebrew understanding of OT concepts. The three items in his blessing relate to the calling of his recipients as loved in the Father and kept (by the Spirit) for the Son, who purchased and redeemed them for Himself.

Mercy (eleos) relates to the Hebrew term, racham, for compassion, as evidenced in God’s revelation of Himself to Moses (Exodus 33:18, 19; 34:5–8). Grace (khane) is the favor or acceptance shown to those who have received mercy (Exodus 34:9; see also Zechariah 4:5–7; 12:10). Mary’s “magnificat” (Luke 1:46–55) reveals her deep understanding of God’s purpose in mercy. Her praise reflects the truths set forth in Psalm 103:8 and 11, which shows the correspondence of mercy with covenant love (hesed). The condition for one to have the favor of God and receive His mercy is that they fear Him. This is possible only to one whose heart and eyes are open to understand God and His ways (Romans 3:9–18; 11:8–10).

Therefore, we must understand that mercy assumes three things: (1) all are guilty of sin and liable for God’s justice, being the children of Adam (Romans 5:12–14). (2) The mercy of salvation from sin and judgment is the only hope for any of Adam’s descendants (Romans 5:18–21). (3) Mercy is shown only to those included in God’s elective choice (Romans 1:5–7; 8:28, 29, 33). These elect are a people chosen by God in eternity past (Ephesians 1:4) and given to Jesus to save (John 17:2–10).

Peace is the result of mercy and is made when a breach is repaired and hostility ceases. Peace (shalom) is the result of a process. When things are not right with God, sin brings guilt to the conscience (Isaiah 48:22). Jesus came to make peace, that is, to repair the broken relationship with God by providing both justification and righteousness for those He saves (Isaiah 32:1). The Septuagint sometimes uses the word salvation to translate peace because salvation restores and completes (Isaiah 26:3).

Finally, love (agape) is the atmosphere of God’s faithful covenant kindness to His own (Romans 5:1–5). What a glorious heritage God’s people enjoy! This is the true prosperity gospel (Psalm 35:11; Romans 8:37; Isaiah 54:10). Indeed, the Hebrew shalom (peace) is sometimes translated prosperity (Psalm 72:3).

Beloved and Kept (Jude 1)

Jude is addressed to people who are referred to as called. Two qualifying statements identify these called: they are loved in God and kept for Christ. This calling also involves being sanctified or set apart to God (Romans 1:7) and the fellowship of saints, the church (1 Corinthians 1:9). We turn now to the two qualifying marks of those who are thus called, beloved, and kept.

Those who are called of God to salvation are loved in God the Father. The preposition used in the Greek is en (the locative, within). The English translation of en is “in”—“beloved in God.” It is my personal opinion that this preposition has been abused by those whose theology is not served by translating the word consistently and simply by in. I firmly reject the imposition of the so-called instrumental use (by or of). Scholars will disagree, and a scholar I am not. Eternity will either correct me or affirm me.

The Authorized Version reads “sanctified by [in] God,” which accords with Colossians 1:12 and 1 Peter 1:2. The Greek terms in the received text (KJV) and the modern text look almost identical. The problem seems to be a scribal misreading in a copying process. The best textual evidence, however, supports “beloved in God” (Ephesians 2:4, 5). The truth is unchanged, as sanctification is a necessary act motivated by His love (1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 John 3:1).

Believers are loved in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3). In John 15:9 Jesus stated an incredible truth that is rarely understood by Christians: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” John amplifies this: “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16). The Trinity exists in an atmosphere of pure and glorious love. God desires to include Adam’s redeemed children into that circle. Imagine that, if you can. To be included, they are covered with Christ’s merit and enabled to love God (1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Peter 1:21; John 15:10). Jesus pointed out to the Jews that their refusing to believe Him was due to God’s love not being in them (John 5:42).

Love is the foundation and motive for God’s work in the world. Salvation originated with the Father because of His love for His creation and desire to restore His original plan for creation (Romans 8:19–21). Thus, Paul concludes, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

The called are kept for Jesus Christ. The probable meaning here is that those in whom the Spirit is working grace are being preserved in the midst of trial and temptation for Christ at His return (see Jude 18–21). This keeping involves their being in the world, the enemy’s territory. The Spirit is keeping them in the world but from the world and from the flesh. Believers are not being kept because they are good but because Christ paid for them (1 Peter 1:3–5) and prays for them (John 17:9, 15–19; Hebrews 7:25). Does not the Lord deserve the fruit of His suffering?

Called (Jude 1)

After identifying himself to his readers, Jude identifies the recipients of his epistle by three distinguishing characteristics: called, beloved, and kept. The called are identified as those who are loved in God and kept for Christ. First, notice the clear Trinitarian reference to the work of salvation. Believers are called by the Spirit because they were loved in the Father and, thus, kept or preserved for Jesus Christ who purchased them.

First, believers are called (Romans 1:6, 7; 8:28; Revelation 17:14). There are two aspects of this call to repentance and faith; one is outward and general (Matthew 22:14), and the other is inward and specific (1 Corinthians 1:9). Not everyone who is called by the outward work of the gospel is saved but only those who are inwardly called by the Spirit. As the gospel is preached, there are those who hear it, being awakened from spiritual death by the quickening power of grace (Ephesians 2:4, 5). In this awakened state, the hearer responds to the truth presented and repents, calling upon the Savior to save him (Romans 10:13). Many hear words, but do not hear the Spirit call them to life. That is why Jesus declared, “He who has ears to hear [with gospel awakened ears], let him hear [to exercise effectual faith in the gospel].

Pay close attention to what Christ said in John 5:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word [of judgment, see v. 22] and believes him [the Father] who sent me has [not gets but already has] eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has [past perfect, already has] passed from death to life.” No one who is dead can hear. Only those who have been quickened to life can hear. Those who hear the gospel actually hear Christ’s voice speaking resurrection life (eternal life) into them, not by audible syllables but inwardly through the Word and Spirit. Jesus declared that His sheep hear His voice and that He knows them savingly. They respond to His voice by following Him in obedience (John 10:27).

Therefore, the called are effectually brought to salvation, resulting in their being a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21). This new creation is demonstrated in Abraham’s servant’s prayer: “By this I shall know that you have created [Hebrew, asah] steadfast love [saving grace] in my master” (Genesis 24:14; see also Galatians 6:15; Romans 4:17). God speaks life into dead sinners through the creative power of His Word. Abraham’s servant was thus assured of the promises to Abraham concerning Jesus Christ because God had created covenant life in Abraham. None dare identify with Christ and His cause who cannot evidence their effectual calling. In Matthew 22:11–14 Jesus illustrated this truth by the wedding guest who did not have a wedding garment as provided by the king. He was summarily cast into outer darkness. On the other hand, those properly attired in salvation evidence that they are savingly called and are wecomed into His kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14).