Introduction

The Epistle of Jude is a general Epistle which is packed with spiritual insights, warnings and exhortations.  Its message is one of the most severe in the New Testament. Some consider Jude a difficult book because of the extra biblical quotations in it.  Jude is not alone doing it.  Apostle Paul also quoted from heathen poets in his letter (Acts 17: 28, 29; Titus 1:12).  The early church  accepted the inspiration and canonical status of the epistle of Jude.  At the beginning of his letter Jude focuses on the common salvation of believers. Then he was compelled to challenge them to contend for their faith. This letter warns the existing danger of apostasy. Jude concludes his letter by encouraging believers to keep themselves in the love of God. God is able to keep them from stumbling and present them blameless before him.   

Authorship
Jude was one of the four half brothers of Jesus Christ (Mat 13:55; Mk 6:1-4).  They were unbelievers in the beginning (John 7:5).  They were offended at Jesus and thought that he was out of his mind (Mark 3:21). Jesus marveled at their unbelief (Mark 6:6). Only other time Jesus marveled was at the faith of the Roman Centurion (Matt 8: 10).  One wonders how Jude became the follower of Jesus Christ. Most probably he had an encounter with the risen Jesus like his brother James after Christ's resurrection
(1 Cor 15:7).   Jude identifies himself as bond slave of Jesus Christ.  He willingly became a follower of Christ and dedicated his life for his service. He also calls himself the brother of James. James was a well-known leader in the Jerusalem Church. Like Andrew, Jude was not resentful of his brother’s position.  Later we see these brothers were in the company of apostles praying and proclaiming the gospel together (Acts 1:14; 1 Cor 9: 5).  The seeds of apostasy were already sown in the early church by the false teachers. Perhaps these believers were living in the Palestinian area so that they knew James (Jude 1:1). Scholars suggest that Jude was written from Jerusalem in the period of A. D. 67-68 to Christians. Jude wanted that Christians should not be caught off guard when they face the danger of apostasy and false teachings. The challenge is great today, but so is the God who is able to keep them from stumbling.

Chapter 1

BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS

Beware of False Teachers: Jude 1:1-4.
Jude begins his letter with warm greetings.  Christians are the beloved people of God. They are are called, sanctified and preserved in and for Christ.  Christians are  those who respond to the gospel and follow Christ. They are called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 9, 26). Jude says he is a bond servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. He is no more ashamed of Christ and willing to be known as the slave of Christ.  He is totally committed to Christ and his service. Jude wishes mercy, peace and love to all believers.  These are the blessings every believer receives when they get saved. Jude wanted to write about the common salvation of believers.   But he found it necessary to urge believers to earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all given to the saints. "The faith" is the body of truth given to the church. Many ungodly people have entered the church unnoticed to pervert the gospel. The gospel grace brings forgiveness and frees us from the bondage of sin. It also gives us a desire to love and serve Christ. The gospel transforms us from inside out. False teachers are hypocrites. They have a form of godliness but deny its power in their lives (2 Tim 3:5). They lacked  the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Jude 1:19). Ungodliness always leads to immorality (Jude 1:19; 2 Tim 3:5). They teach that “Where sin abounded grace abounded much more”.  They twist Christian liberty into a license to practice sin. These false teachers also deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  They do not accept the Lordship of Jesus and live in disobedience. Only those who believe Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved (Rom 10:9, 13). The common denominator of false teachers is that they deny the deity of Jesus Christ.   Grace forgives sin and it is not a free pass to disobey Christ.

The Judgment of the Wicked: Jude 1:5-7.  
Jude recalls God's judgments in the history to reminds his readers of the coming judgment on false teachers (1: 5-8, 11).  False Teachers will be judged and there is no partiality with God.  It is painfully real and not theoretical.   A superficial faith in Christ  does not guarantee our escape from judgment. These false teachers have crept into the church (1:9).  Only Christ can save people from their sins. 

Historical Examples of Judgments:

• The disobedient Israel was judged in the wilderness (Numbers 14:35).
• Angels who did not stay within their limited authority were judged (Gen 6:1-4; 2 Pet 2:4, 9).
• God judged Sodom and Gomorrah for their gross immorality (Gen 18-19).
• Cain who killed his brother Abel was judged (Gen 4).
• Balaam- the false prophet who was greedy and led Israel to sin was judged (Numbers 22-25).
• Korah - who rebelled against Moses was judged (Numbers 16).

How to identify Apostates: Jude 1:8-11, 18,19.
The reality of coming judgment is sobering.  Jesus warned disciples against false teachers (Matt 7:15). Apostle Paul warned believers that false teachers will try to draw away Christians after them (Acts 20:29, 30).  John warns that we should not believe every spirit (1 John 4:1).  So it is biblical to identify the false teachers and their coming judgment. Jude gives the the characteristics of false teachers. 

1. They are dreamers. They engage in philosophical speculation to justify their arguments. They claim that they have received special revelation through dreams and visions. Jude 1:8
2. They defile their flesh by their filthy fantasy and find fulfillment in immoral lifestyle. Jude 1:8
3. They despise and reject God’s authority. Jude1:8,9
4. They belittle and criticize things they do not know. Jude 1:9,10,18
5. They are like animals and do things in their natural instincts. They follow the example of Cain.  He was an unconverted religious man and a self-will worshiper. Jude1:11
6. They follow the errors of Balaam, greedy and covetous. Jude1:11
7. False Teachers seek popularity.
8. They are like Korah who rebelled against Moses. Numbers 16.
9. They Grumble and complain. Jude 1:16
10. They are not saved, worldly and sensual.Jude 1:19
11. They cause division among God’s people. Jude 1:19
12. They are hidden stone in the love feast. This was the feast commonly observed after Lord’s Supper. They care only about themselves and stumble weak brethren. Jude 1:2
13. They are like water-less cloud. They make promises but produce nothing. Jude 1:12
14. They are like twice dead uprooted tree without fruit at the harvest time.Jude 1:12
15. They are like wild waves, lack self control and are not ashamed of their shameful deeds. Jude 1:13.
16. They are like shooting stars that burns and end up in blackness. No use to anybody. Jude 1:13.
17. They are grumblers. They brag about themselves, Show favoritism to get favors in return. Jude 1:16.
18. Enoch prophesied the doom of them at the coming of Christ. They will be judged. Jude 1:14, 15.​

​EXHORTATION TO BELIEVERS

Exhortation to Believers: Jude 1:17-18.
Christians are the beloved people of God. They are preserved in Christ Jesus.  Someone has said "Preservation is the continues operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer by which the work of divine grace which God begun in him will be brought to completion".  What God started He will bring into completion.  When the kindness and the love of God our Savior appeared He saved us (Titus 3:4).  Salvation is initiated by God. There is no preservation apart from faith in Christ.  Even this faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:1).  Jude exhorts us to stay close to Christ by studying God’s Word and live in unbroken fellowship with Him. He is the living Savior and He will preserve us from falling.  Someone has said “You are not strong enough to fall away from Christ as long as God is resolved to hold you”.  God knows those who are his, and let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart  from iniquity (2 Tim 2:19).  Jude exhorts that we should “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (21).  Here the emphasis is God's love toward us. We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). This is the antidote to apostasy. Apostasy is the defection from the once for all given faith (vs 3). Jude explains how does one keep himself in the love of God?

1. By building up yourselves in your most holy faith. 20
2. By praying in the Holy Spirit. 20
3. By waiting for the return of Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 21
4. By showing compassion to the lost and by rescuing them from coming judgment. 22-23.
5. By having confidence in the saving power of the Lord. 24-25.

Keep yourselves in the love of God: 1: 21
Here the main imperative is  “Keep yourselves in the love of God". The emphasis is God’s love for us and not our love for him.  We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).  His love is eternal and never changes (Jeremiah 31:3). The proof of God’s love is clearly seen in sending His Son to die for us (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10). Here we see God’s eternal love finding its eternal expression on the cross.  This love is not sentimental or emotional but sacrificial. God’s love is expressed through His goodness, compassion, patience and forgiveness.  God's love is better than life (Psalms 63:3). Love is the very essence of God
(1 John 4: 7-16).  It is the greatest and the first commandment of the law (Mt 22:36-40).  It is relational and will produce grief to God when not responded (Gen 6:5, 6). God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:30). Only a forgiven soul can appreciate God’s love.  They will love their neighbor as themselves because God has poured His love into their hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5).  Many Christians feel insecure because of the lack of knowledge of God’s love towards them.  God loves us as much as He loves Christ (John 17:23).  Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:38, 39).  In Worship we acknowledge God's love toward us.  His love enables us to submit to His purpose in obedience. This also would quicken our conscience about the holiness and beauty of our Savior (Psalms 103:1, 2; 84:1, 2). When we respond to God’s love in worship, we will experience that love in life. Those who love Christ, keep His commandments (John 14:15, 21). We sin because we are not satisfied with Christ.  Though God shows tough love toward backsliders, He patiently waits for them to return (Luke 15:20).

God’s Amazing Love:

1. It is a providential love.  God makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Matt. 5:45.
2. It is the saving love.  God wants all to be saved and none to perish in sin. John 3:16. 2 Pet 3:9.
3. It is the steadfast love. Hosea 11:8.
4. It is an undeserving love. Rom 5:8.
5. It is the everlasting love by which we have been drawn to God.  Jeremiah 31:3.
6. It is the transcending love. Ephesians 3:19.
7. It is also the disciplining love. Whom God loves He disciplines. Heb 12:6.
8. It is an affirming and a relational love that believer can enjoy.  Can we slip away from God’s love?  The answer is, yes.  Father always loves the son but son slipped away from father’s love (Luke 15).  The Church of Ephesus left their first love (Rev 2:4). Yet God patiently waiting for us to return to Him.  Nothing more offensive to God than rejecting His love.

How God’s love is reignited?  The Holy Spirit reignites this love. 

1. By remembering the Lord’s death regularly.  Heb 10:25
2. By personalizing the Word of God. Psalm 119:18
3. By praying to experience God’s love. Ephesians 3:16-21
4. By witnessing Christ to lost souls. Matt 28:19-20 
5. By abiding in Christ and bearing fruit for him.  John 15:16

Someone has said  “The secret of fruit bearing is abiding; the secret of abiding is loving and the secret of loving is knowing Christ”.  Revival happens only when our spiritual passion is ignited and intensified with the love of God. 

BUILD YOURSELF ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH

​Build yourselves in your most holy faith: 1:20.
Jude exhorts believers to keep themselves in the love of God by growing in the most holy faith.  Here Jude is not referring to our personal faith in Christ for salvation but about the body of truth.  It is the most holy faith upon which the church is founded (Ephesians 2:20). This is a reference to the doctrines of apostles and prophets (Act 2:42).  Doctrine is the basis for Christian behavior and spiritual health. We must grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Salvation is a gift from God but spiritual growth is not.  We are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Eph 2:8, 9).  Faith comes as a result of hearing the Word of God (Rom 10:17).  It is the once for all given faith (3, 20; 2 Tim 3:17; 1 Tim 6:11).  Through Scripture, God reveals His mind.  Also He  reveals His Son through whom we are reconciled to God. In the high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). Truth is nonnegotiable.  Paul warned that in the last days many will turn away from the truth (2 Tim 3:3, 4).  There is great danger in distorting God’s Word to satisfy the itching ears of listeners. The prosperity gospel is a distortion of truth.  Christians must be diligent in rightly interpreting the Word of God to grow spiritually (2 Tim 2:15).  The believers who are growing in the faith cannot be easily deceived by false teachers. God’s Word should not be perverted for selfish gain. The obedience of the Word of God is the mark of Christian discipleship. Jesus said "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free".

There are different degrees of faith.

1. Abraham had strong in faith. He grew strong in his faith and gave glory to God. (Rom 4:18, 20).
2. Peter had little faith (Matt 14:31). 
3. Jesus asked His disciples once, where is your faith? Luke 8:25.
4. Father of the mute pleaded and said “Lord I believe, help my unbelief. Mk 9:24.
5. Jesus marveled at the faith of the Roman Centurion. Matt 8:10. Mk 6:6.
6. We are invited to draw near to God with full assurance of faith. Heb 10:22.
7. We are exhorted to put on the shield of faith to repel Satan’s fiery arrows. Ephesians 6:16.

Is our faith in Jesus Christ?
Faith is the confidence that God will fulfill what He has promised. Faith treats the future as present (Heb 11:8).  There is an objective faith and subjective faith. The Christians are saved by the objective faith in Christ.  Christ is the author and perfecter of our faith (Titus 2:13; Heb 7:25; Heb 12:1).  Subjective faith is based on our feelings and emotions. It keeps changing.  Only Christ is trust worthy.  Assurance of salvation is the result of growing in the faith.  If salvation rests on work, assurance could become nothing but presumption. The assurance of salvation prevents us from drifting (Rom 8:37-39).  We must grow in the faith so that we may stand against the onslaught of devil (Ephesians 6:10, 11).  The study of the Word of God is essential to grow in the knowledge of Christ (1 Pet 2:2).  It is the source of truth and it should be personalized (John 17:17).  It is the source joy (John 15:11; 13:17). Happy are those who hear and obey the Word of God.  The Word of God is also the source of victory (Psalms 119:11).  It is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).  The Word of God is powerful and sharper than two edged sword (Heb 4:12).  The Word of God is the GPS that gives us direction and keeps us on course (Psalms 119:105).  So we must believe it, love it and obey it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). 

Pray in the Holy Spirit: 20.
Secondly the believers are exhorted to keep themselves in the love of God by praying in the Spirit.  Prayer is our life line to God. Prayer is the declaration that we are not self sufficient and God is all sufficient.  We are commanded to pray in the Holy Spirit. It simply means our prayer should be directed and controlled by the Holy Spirit. "Pray for not our will to be done in heaven but God’s will to be done in our lives". It is not persuading God to move things on our way. Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance but laying hold of His willingness. Prayer is not vain repetition but the intelligent expression of our needs. Prayer is not to impress or inform our needs to God.   God knows our needs and His ears are opened to our prayers (Psalms 34:15).  Our prayer should  include adoration to God, confession of our sins, thanksgiving for all God’s blessings and request of our needs.  Someone has said "Everybody prays and there is no atheist in the foxhole".  Our prayer should not be irregular and aimless. Prayers are offered to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. Prayer meetings are the most neglected and least attended church service.  A praying church is a dynamic church.

How to Pray?
We are commanded to pray in the name of Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14). Our prayer should be in agreement with the will and purposes of God.  The ultimate goal of our prayer should be God's glory and our blessings (John 14:13).  The Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers (Rom 8:26).  We should pray with passion and in faith (Col 4:12; James 5:17).  There is power in prayer when we pray in faith in the promises of God (James 4:3).  Prayer changes things, most of all changes us. All prayer will be answered  but not according to our expectation. It could be yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait.  When God says no, it is always for our best interest. There is no promise in the Bible that God will heal all the sick when we pray.  Paul prayed for Timothy and Trophimus but they were not healed (2 Cor 12:9; 1 Tim 5:23; 2 Tim 4:20). That does not mean we should not pray for the sick. We must cast all our cares upon God because He cares for us. His ears are open to our cry (Psalm 34:15).  We must pray with passion  and in faith ( Col 4:12; Heb 5:7).  Many people are confused about Isaiah 53:5, when it comes to praying for the sick.  Is there not healing in the atoning death of God? The answer is absolutely yes. The ultimate result of atonement is the restoration of our bodies.  This will take place at the return of Christ.  We have been redeemed from the judgement of sin and now being redeemed from the power of sin.  But our body is not redeemed from corruption yet.  At Christ's return we receive an glorified body.  Meanwhile we must pray for the sick and submit to the will of God. Jesus prayed “Not my will but your will be done”. Believers should pray diligently, consistently, expectantly and humbly.  God reveals His will to those who are willing to obey Him (John 7:17).  God reveals his will through the scriptures and by the prompting of His Spirit and by over-ruling our circumstances (Psalms 119:105; Rom 8:14; Rev 3:8). We are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).


LOOKING FOR THE MERCY OF JESUS CHRIST UNTO ETERNAL LIFE

Looking for the mercy of Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21.
Thirdly the Christians should keep themselves in God's love by living in anticipation of Christ's return (John 14:1-3). This glorious theme is mentioned at least once in every 25 verses in the New Testament.  There are more prophecies about Christ's second coming than His first coming.  His first coming was in weakness but His second coming will be in majesty and glory. This was confirmed by angels and apostles (Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 15:51, 52; 1 John 3:1-3).  Christ is coming to receive His own (John 14:1-3). He will be accompanied by those who have gone to be with the Lord before us (1 Thess 4:13-17).  In fact the Bible closes with the glorious statement that Jesus is coming again (Rev 22:20). Christ’s return is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13).  We are going to be with Him forever.  It is also our comforting hope because we will see our dear ones who went to be with the Lord before us (1 Thess 4:16-18).  It is the purifying hope (1 John 3:1-3). We will see Jesus in His glory and being like Him. Also it is the challenging hope to live a holy and a separated life (1 John 2:28). It is a motivating hope to get busy in serving Christ (1 Cor 15:58).  Are we living in anticipation of the  blessed and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ?  It is interesting that mercy is mentioned in reference to Christ’s second coming (2 Tim 1:18).  All that we are and hope for is by the mercy of God.   If you are not saved yet, you must settle this issue before it is too late (2 Cor 6:2).

Do we anticipate Christ’s Return?
The Believers are just passing through this world and our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20).  Biblical hope is not a wishful thinking. It is based on the resurrection of Christ.  Christ’s return is our blessed hope. The Believers are now only engaged to Christ and we are waiting for the full realization of their union with Christ (2 Cor 11:2). The Holy Spirit is the deposit of our spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:14). So believers should remain faithful to Christ and his Word. It is the once for all given faith.  Many Christians have marginal ideas about after life experiences. The hope of the resurrection of our body is not a wishful thinking.  We serve a risen Savior.  Disciples identified Christ, Elijah and Moses in their glory on the mount  (Matt:17). They also recognized the resurrected body of Christ. Christ himself said that many will come from east and west and recline with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. It is going to be a great reunion. For believers the best is yet to come. The study of prophecy is not to speculate but to motivate us to serve Christ with devotion and anticipation. We will identify one another in heaven.  Some believers are confused about the statement Jesus made in Mark 12:25. “There is no marriage in heaven but believers are like angels in heaven”. Of course there is mystery related to this statement. In heaven we will be like angels. Angels do not marry. But heaven is filled with real people, sharing their joy one another (1 Thessalonians 2:19).  Since many names of women  are mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, we can assume that there will be male and female in heaven (Heb 11:11, 31). 

​SHOW COMPASSION AND BE INTENTIONAL IN EVANGELISM

Be intentional in evangelism: 1 Jude 1: 22, 23
We are exhorted to keep ourselves in the love of God by showing compassion to the lost and dying in the world.  Christian means “Christ’s ones”. Christ has shown compassion to people who are lost in their sins (Matt 9:36).  The dying request of our Savior was that we should love one another and become His witnesses (John 13:34,35).  The disciples were different in temperaments yet Lord wants them to love one another and fulfill the great commission. The  world would know that we are the disciples of  Christ only when we love one another (John 13:34). The gospel is the compelling message because it is the message of love and redemption. It is the story of God reclaiming the lost world through Jesus Christ to himself. It was planned before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Its message is that "The grace of God that bring salvation has appeared to all people" (Titus 2:11-12). The scope of the gospel reaches across the entire world. The substance of the gospel is the person and the work of Jesus Christ. The scope of the gospel is the whole world (Mark 16:15).  The gospel is too good to keep it for ourselves.  We are debtors to proclaim the gospel to others. We should not be ashamed of the gospel. We are engaged in a rescue mission.  Jesus said to his disciple "As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21). The motto of  people engaged in rescue mission is “You got to go".  Are we ready to obey the great commission?

How to share the Gospel.

1. Evangelism cannot be reduced to a formula. One approach will not work for everyone. It is a challenging ministry and can be done only in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). We deal with difficult people who are under the grip of Satan.  We have to show love, compassion, humility and courage in this rescue mission. It is sharing the truth about God and his great plan of salvation. It also tells the truth about the lost sinful condition of man. Gospel explains what Christ has done to save sinners.  It points out the man's responsibility to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  
2. Evangelism is important because souls are at stake, time is short and opportunities will be lost. It should be our priority and passion (John 4:35).  Jesus said to his disciples "Lift up your eyes and look at the fields for they are already white for harvest".  All our ministries must have an evangelistic purpose. Someone has said “Sinners need to hear the gospel and saints love to hear it. The gospel is not the ABC of salvation but the A to Z of salvation.
3. Jesus is the soul winner.  When the kindness and love of our God the Savior appeared, he saved us (Titus 3:4, 5).  Salvation is a supernatural work.  We are God's hands and feet.  Paul wrote “I have planted, Apollos watered but God made it to grow" (1 Cor 3:6). Pray for the unsaved world.  Live a life that reflects Christ love for them (Matt 5:16). Tell someone the difference Jesus had made in your life. The ultimate purpose of evangelism is the conversion of souls. Our brilliant argument and cleverness cannot win souls. Only Christ can save sinners.
4. Do not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16). Always be ready to give a defense (apologetic) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:15).  It is the gospel of God and it will defend  itself.  The gospel cannot be chained (2 Tim 2:9).  The main theme of the Bible is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Someone has said “If you cut the Bible anywhere it will bleed the blood of the Lamb of God.  
5. The great commission can be accomplished only by God's power (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:47).  
6. Paul decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. He did not use lofty words, impressive wisdom, clever and persuasive speeches. His preaching was the demonstration of the Spirit and of power of God (1 Cor 2:1-5).    
7. Our great commission is to make disciples.  It’s strategy is given in Matthew 28:19-20.  Its scope we see in Mark 16:15.  Its substance is given in Luke 24:47. John gives the source of it (John 20:21).  
8. The sole purpose of preaching the gospel is the conversion of souls (1 Cor 9:16, 22).
9. It is an urgent mission.  We are engaged in a rescue mission of pulling people from fire (Jude 23).  
10. On Sunday April, 14th 1912, 1500 souls perished when Titanic sank in Atlantic.  There was none to rescue them.  Sinners need to be rescued.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17).

PLACE YOUR CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST

​Christ is able to keep us from Stumbling: 1 Jude 1:24, 25.
Jude begins and ends his letter with assurance of salvation. Jude assures us that Christ is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before God with great joy ( 1 Jude 1, 24). Were it not for God, we would be falling from the grace every waking second.  So Jude wants to give God all the glory, majesty, dominion and authority. How can we refuse to love such a gracious and merciful God.  Believers are preserved in Christ Jesus. They have a great Savior who is able to present them blameless before the presence of God with great joy (Vs 25).  This is the most used doxology in the church. Today 2.3 billion people claim that they are Christians. Many of them lack personal relationship with Christ. Salvation is a gracious gift of God and it cannot be earned by good works or by heritage (Jonah 2:9). There are only two kinds of religion in the world. One kind teaches that we can earn salvation by good works. Bible says that there is none righteous no not one (Rom 3:10,23). The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). We get saved by believing in Jesus Christ and in his finished work on the cross (2 Cor 5:21). Unlike heathen gods, the God of the Bible by nature is the saving God. “I am the Lord there is no Savior besides me” (Isaiah 43:11; Act 4:12). 

What is Salvation?

1. There is much confusion about God and salvation. To understand the gospel one must know who God is. Some suggest that God is a power. Others think that everything is God.  Many people think that there are many ways to God. These are nothing more than vain philosophical speculations about God and salvation.  This led to the formation of many religions. The fundamental question is who is God and what He does for us.
2. What we know about God is important. God can only be known by revelation. Man can never find God by his own efforts.  Someone has said "It is like a rat trying to find a cat".  Unless God reveals Himself, He cannot be known.  God is the infinite being and man is only a finite being.  God reveals himself in three ways, through His creation, through His Word and through His Son Jesus Christ (Psalm 19:1; John 1:1, 14, 18; Heb 1:1-3). 
3. Bible teaches the doctrine of trinity.  God is one in essence but three in persons. This is a great mystery. Gen 1:24, is a reference to God the Father, vs 26, 27, 30 are the references to Jesus Christ and Vs 2 is a reference to the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 6:8; Matt 3:16; John 14:16-17; 26, 27; 15:26; 16:13, 140). The trinity is also revealed in the Baptism of Jesus and Benediction (Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13; 14). All three persons in Godhead are involved in our salvation. Father planned it, Son purchased it and the Holy Spirit applies it.  
4. God is revealed as the maker of the universe and the providential ruler or the world (Act 4:28). History is the working out of His eternal purposes (Daniel 8:19).  Nothing happens without God's permission. Before anything existed, there was God. He created and controls all things.  He is the God of providence. He sustains everything by the Word of His power into completion (Heb 1:3). God has a single purpose for you and me. That is to make us like His Son Jesus Christ (Rom 8:28, 29).
5. God is revealed as the author and perfecter of our salvation (Jonah 2:9; Act 4:12; Heb 12:2). This salvation is an event, a process and a future expectation.  When we believe in Christ we are saved from the penalty of sin (Rom 5:1). We are justified by faith (Rom 5:1).  Now we are being saved from the power of sin. This is called progressive sanctification. We will be saved from the presence of sin at Christ’s return (1 John 3:1-3). This is called glorification. Christ is our God the great Savior (Titus 2:13). He is perfect, He cannot sin. He is immutable, He never Changes. He is  eternal, He never dies. He is  faithful, He cannot lie.  He gives eternal life. What a great Savior! Do you know Him?

                
Christ is able to keep us from stumbling: 1 Jude 24-25.  
The false teachers are apostates.  Apostasy is the defection from the once for all given faith, the Bible. We have a living union with Christ through faith when we get saved.  Jesus said “Because I live you shall live also” (John 14:19). This is our present day blessing. Faith in Christ assures us of our victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4).  Believers are yoked to Christ and they cannot fall away from Him (Matt 11:28).  Christ is our great High Priest and He ever lives to make intercession for us (Luke 22:31, 32; Heb 7:25).  He is able to save us completely.  The believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).  This speaks of ownership and security. We are kept by His power (1 Pet 1:5; John 10:27-29; 6:37-40). Nothing can separate us from His great love (Rom 8:38, 39).  Someone has said “We are not strong enough to fall away from God as long as He is resolved to hold us”.  God is able to prevent us from stumbling.  Then why we stumble?  Because we do not listen to His warnings.  We rationalize our disobedience. We have a natural bend to find excuses to live in disobedience. The enemy will push hard to stumble us. But our Lord is faithful, and He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to endure but provides the way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). God knows those who are his.  And all those who belong to the Lord will turn away from evil (2 Tim 2:19).  Christ is able to present us blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy (Vs 24). Here blameless is a reference to a sacrifice that brings sweet savor to God (Rom 12:1).  How is He able to do that?  Because of God’s exceeding great power that works in us. This is the resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:18).  There is a future dimension to our salvation that has yet to come (1 Pet 1:3-5).  We have the promise that one day we will receive a perfect and glorious body like the body of Christ.  We shall be like Jesus because we will see Him as He is
(1 John 3:2). Christ will share his glory with us (John 17:22). What a glorious hope! Do you have this hope in Christ? If not, why not trust in Lord Jesus Christ and be saved before it is too late?

Conclusion
Jude ends his epistles with encouragement and assurance.  He warns that false teachers will try to deceive Christians.  So we must be alert and hold on to our once for all given faith. Jude exhorts that we can do that by abiding in the love of God.  Those who abide in His love will grow in the knowledge of Christ and pray in the Holy Spirit. They also will live in anticipation of Christ's return.  They will be eager to witness Christ to sinners  and rescue them from eternal judgment.  In godly fear, they hate the sin and keep themselves from being contaminated by sin. They will put their confidence in Christ and live for His glory. They know that God is able to keep them from stumbling and present them faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. They give Christ all the glory, majesty, power both now and forever.  Do you know Jesus Christ?

​