Daily Devotions
Jude
LIFE IN THE FIRST CENTURY
Text: Jude
AN INTRODUCTION
LIFE IN THE FIRST CENTURY
Sometimes we imagine that life in the first century was easier than what we are experiencing today. But a careful study of the New Testament would reveal that life was very hard for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ! What were some of the problems faced? Three categories of problems may be highlighted: –
1. Hostility from without
a) There was strong opposition from detractors.
b) Sometimes the opposition would take the form of brutal persecution of believers.
2. Evil from within
a) Corruption and abuse of church authority sought to make inroads into the church.
b) False brethren appeared and they brought even more confusion.
3. Wicked heresies
a) Heresies began to arise to confront the church.
b) The faith of many believers was threatened and shaken.
FACING THESE PROBLEMS
The Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ did all they could to build the Church.
1. They wrote to establish the doctrines of the Church.
2. They ministered personally in preaching, teaching and making disciples.
3. One of the things they did as well was to defend the church against wily and wicked false teachers.
THE EPISTLE OF JUDE
Jude had originally wanted to write about the doctrine of salvation. However, he felt that the threat of false teachers was so great and intense he devoted his epistle to battling false teachings.
1. The author
a) Jude was most likely the half-brother of the Lord Jesus (Matthew 13:55. The name “Judas” is the same as “Jude”).
b) Jude identified himself as the brother of James (Jude 1).
2. The relevance of Jude’s Epistle
a) Today the church is badly challenged by false teachers/teachings.
b) The present climate seems to be that of compromise or at least a placid approach to false teachings.
c) Jude offers a dynamic and Biblical approach to the problem of false teachings!
May our hearts be greatly challenged and uplifted as we read the Epistle of Jude prayerfully!