Invaders

For certain people have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into indecent behavior and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.—Jude 1:4 NASB

Jude was concerned for the body of Christ. He wrote “to those who are the called” (v. 1), with a focus on “our common salvation” (v. 3). All believers also needed to realize they were part of the body and concerned about the health of the entire body.

Because of this context, Jude felt it necessary to appeal for them to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (v. 3). Why was it so important for them to be alert? Because the body had been invaded by people who had their own ideas and who denied the true Gospel message.

These were “ungodly” people who “deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” They also abused the grace of God by practicing a lifestyle filled with lust and ungodliness.

These people had become part of the body, having “crept in unnoticed.” They knew the right words and how to sound sincere. They participated in church life as if they were full members. Yet these people were a divisive influence and spread a kind of poison.

The body of Christ is experiencing a similar invasion today. We must be alert to people who are diluting our faith or spreading disunity. We need to stay focused on serving God, being Christ-like examples, motivated by love, and dedicated to the Gospel. We must seek to save the lost.

Reflection Question: How can you ensure that you know how to spot false doctrine?