Notes On The Book Of Jude

This will also be short. Much of this letter warns against false brothers who bring false doctrines, they step outside their authority, "relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones." (Jude 8 English Standard Version). Even the archangel Michael did not blaspheme Satan. (Jude 9). "These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever." (Jude 12-13 ESV). I think one of the markers of such people is their self-glorification and self-exaltation at the expense of the Gospel, they do not have a fear of the Lord. "These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage." (Jude 16 ESV). There will likely be those in our churches who will seek to cause divisions, knowingly or unknowingly, we must be watchful. As for the true believers, "have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." (Jude 22-23 ESV). We should be compassionate with nonbelievers and not judgmental, having mercy with those who do not believe as we have our own struggle with faith.