Jump Start # 3623
Jude 4 “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Recently I was preaching a lesson called, “Developing the eyes to see.” It was built around the Lord’s explanation for using so many parables. He said, “Blessed are your eyes because they see.” That’s the kind of eyes we need. We need to see.
From that, we looked at being able to see the threats that keep us from doing our best. Those threats included five schemes of the devil: (1) delivers a diluted message; (2) keeps you at a safe and comfortable distance; (3) distracts you with life; (4) assures you that you are different; (5) deceives you with the people you have surrounded yourself with.
Our eyes also need to see the blessings of working in the kingdom, as well as, seeing the invisible, as described in 2 Corinthians 4:18. Blessed are your eyes because they see…
Our verse today is one that I used in that lesson. Certain people crept in unnoticed. To the Galatians, Paul said, “But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus” (2:4). The Corinthians were warned about “deceitful workers disguising themselves as apostles of Christ” (2 Cor 11:13). The elders at Ephesus were told that wolves will come in among you (Acts 20:29).
Crept in. Sneaked in. Disguising themselves. Wolves. This sounds like an international spy operation. They weren’t seeking the truth. They wanted to harm and destroy brethren. This could make us suspicious, scared and even not wanting to trust others.
Some things we need to remember:
First, although this was a stealth plan, Paul knew. And, of course, God knew. There is no fooling God. Paul was telling the brethren about this secretive attempt to destroy what was good and right. He knew. This is one of the key factors for shepherds, to watch and protect the flock. Eyes opened. Ears to the ground. The shepherds of today must notice what people are talking about. What are they liking on social media? Who are they listening to?
Jude’s expression, “crept in unnoticed,” is something that we must notice. The text describes these people as “ungodly” and twisters of God’s grace and word. How is it that they were not noticed? Did someone fall asleep at the helm? Did someone get a pass because he was family? It is our responsibility to notice. Crept in unnoticed is not a good thing to be said.
Second, not everyone who claims to be a Christian, is. Some are using brethren to get what they want. Some are dishonest. And, as Jude puts it, some are ungodly. Helpful or hurtful? Submissive or demanding their way? Kind or arrogant? Jesus told the disciples, “you will know them by their fruit.” What are you noticing? Someone who is a team player or someone who is always stirring things up? Someone whose talk and walk match and they match Jesus, or someone who sells a good story but their actions betray them.
Third, error, trouble and workers of Satan always hide in the shadows of life. They are not upfront with their plans. They spread lies, create rumors, challenge authority, question direction, and always are wanting to push the envelope and consider things outside the box. They work in secret. Their tools are deception. Nothing upfront. No transparency. Creeping. Secretive. Sneaking. Spying. That’s not the trademark of God’s people. But that’s where the devil dwells. That’s where error works. Twisting. Suggesting. Questioning. Doubting. All the marks of someone who is not walking very closely with the Savior.
Be upfront with things. Truth has nothing to hide. Truth thrives in the light of the daytime.
Blessed are your eyes because they see…
Roger