Who reads Jude anyway

Not very many people. It's kind of wedged in with 2 and 3 John between the more popular 1 John and the more controversial Revelation. I mean, come on, its only 25 verses long. but I noticed today, that it has a pretty potent message-at least I think it does.

We are instructed to contend for the faith. To fight for truth and righteousness and to uphold the cause of Christ.

Part one is a description of a certain sort of person:

1. Who have slipped in among you--we're talking specifically about people in the church.
2. Who change the grace of God into a license for immorality.
3. and and deny Jesus Christ-our only sovereign and Lord.

Ok-so far so good. This should be easy. Just look for the dreamer who

4. pollute their own bodies, reject authority, and slander celestial beings

So far, I thought--I don't even know what you're talking about Jude. I mean--I don't know anyone who goes around saying, "celestial beings are sons of goats" So at about this point my eyes blink and I miss the rest of the book. Lots of people on the other hand pollute all sorts of things and reject God's authority.

Of course, that's when it gets interesting

5. these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand, and what things they do understand by instinct-like unreasoning animals-this is what destroys them

What if this is an indictment of much of the church today in the United States. I guess I've heard a fair amount of abusive language directed against all sorts of things by Christians. "What, you're a (you could really insert Republican or Democrat here)--well that's just not Christian." Or "you want to live in the city among the poor--well that's just trendy and exhibitionist." or "you live in the suburbs among the wealthy--well that's just selfish and uncaring." or "you think The Shack is better than Pilgrim's Progress--you clearly aren't studying the Word enough."

I don't know--It just seems to me like there's an awful lot of invective and vituperation (yes I know it's pretentious, but it's just a synonym of invective) out there. and a lot of it is coming from Christians. It seems like the church should be a place that people come to when they need love. A place that dispenses grace.

So It seems like Jude is saying "Hey guy's don't make it bad--take a sad world and make it better."

Grace takes what is evil and sinful and makes it whole in Christ. So maybe we have a responsibility to reveal the grace of Christ to the world. To reach out in love and peace rather than judgment and hatred. Look, the world is still going to reject Christ and his followers. But if we follow the example of Christ then we reverse the tide and respond to rejection with love. You know--turn the other cheek and all that other stuff.