The Sin and Fate of the Ungodly

 

The Sin and Fate of the Ungodly

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” (Jude 1:1-2).

 

The Apostle Jude, whose book is titled, identifies himself as its author. It is a letter to one or several churches in Rome believed by most biblical scholars to have been written around 65-80 A.D.[1] They are unsure of the exact date, but most place it around this timeframe. Jude, also known as Jude of James, Judah in Hebrew, Thaddeus, and Judas in Greek, is most commonly referred to as Jude instead of Judas within the Christian community to avoid any confusion between him and Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.[2]

Some scholars deem Jude to have been one of the original twelve disciples of Christ. However, many Christians have debated this claim with an opposing argument that he was not an original disciple but affiliated with the apostles. They argue that he did not believe that Jesus was the Christ until after He had died, just like the other half-brothers. Unfortunately, the debate continues, yet, many agree or go along with the commonality that he was indeed one of the original Twelve.[3]

In keeping with popular belief, Jude was the brother of James, half-brother to Jesus, and one of five sons born to Joseph and Mary (Matthew 13:56). Despite being kin to Jesus, Jude was modest in his approach and did not use his kinship as something to be used to his advantage.[4] Instead, he considered himself a mere servant chosen to honor the Lord and to submit to Him fully without reservation, self-preservation, or self-elevation.

Some of the early church fathers expressed doubts regarding the book's authenticity, and it is often considered the most overlooked book of the Bible within the New Testament.[5] Nevertheless, some scholars attribute this debate to Jude's reference to the apocryphal Book of Enoch, which occurred towards the end of the fourth century.[6]  One of the common themes was Jude’s reference to the destruction of those who denied the Lord mentioned in I Enoch.[7] Still, many church leaders, such as Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, and others, referenced it in their writings.

This brief book parallels 2 Peter 2, where false teachers and prophets attempted to hijack the gospel by introducing false teachings within the church. The Apostle Peter had this to say: “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute” (2 Peter 2:1-2). Just like Jude, Peter was concerned that the Christians scattered throughout Rome would be confused due to the false teachers who were adamant about introducing unsound doctrine.

Peter, also known as Simon Peter, is credited with authoring 1 and 2 Peter, of which the books are so named. He was one of the Twelve whom Jesus called to follow Him, along with his brother, Andrew (Matthew 4:18-22; Luke 5:1-11). Peter identifies himself as the author to his readers, and most biblical scholars believe the book was written around 64-67 A.D. The apostle wrote to encourage the Christian believers of his day to stand strong despite those who entered the church to mislead and corrupt their Christian walk.[8] Peter did not want the church to follow the ways of these wicked teachers, as some were prone to do then and even now. He encouraged them to hold on to the promise of eternal life, which would take place upon Christ’s return.[9] Peter wrote this letter to encourage the church to endure the trials, persecutions, and temptations that would befall them due to the apostates who had entered the midst with misleading messages and heretical teachings.

Jude and Peter reminded them of the destruction that would befall those who believed, participated, and condoned such heresies. They encouraged them to stand firm and unwavering in their faith. Peter encouraged them to do good works, not to obtain salvation but as a witness that there cannot be faith without works and works without faith. Therefore, faith was not to be corrupted by thinking that one could claim to have faith without the living fruit of it.[10]

 Similarly, Jude taught against the Gnostical teaching of the good soul apart from Christ, reminding them that their freedom was not a license or endorsement to sin and live a debaucherous lifestyle. Thus, one can understand from Jude and Peter’s examples of God’s intolerance to sin within the church that the belief that once saved, always saved is incorrect, for God will not and does not tolerate ungodly behavior from those who claim to be His. The examples that both apostles gave regarding the Lord’s actions in the past pertaining to His intolerance of wickedness was and still is an indicator of His disdain for man’s rebellion.

Many Christians erroneously believe that God is not the same God of the Old Testament but has somehow softened His stance throughout the ages on righteousness, holiness, and Godly living. They argue that we are no longer bound to uphold certain principles because of grace. Yet, Jesus had this to say: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). In Jesus’ fulfillment of the law, He made it possible for us to be saved due to the work He did on the cross, but in no way was it to be used as an excuse to live a debaucherous lifestyle. Instead, we are to be grateful to the Lord for the mercy and grace He has bestowed upon us by living a life reflective of His character. Thus, sin cannot enter the Lord's presence because He is holy, righteous, honorable, just, compassionate, and merciful. Anyone who believes they will enter Heaven with sin-stained garments is mistaken. Yet, it is only because of the Lord’s mercy and grace that we can enter into His presence. The Psalmist wrote: “But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).

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[1] Britannica Editorial Staff, "Saint Jude."

[2] Britannica Editorial Staff, "Saint Jude | History, Facts, & Feast Day," Encyclopedia Britannica, last modified July 20, 1998, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Jude-Apostle.

[3] Ryan Nelson, "Who Was Jude the Apostle? The Beginner's Guide," OverviewBible, last modified September 12, 2019, https://overviewbible.com/jude-the-apostle/.

[4] Thomas Lea, The New Testament: Its Background and Message (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2003), 568.

[5] S. J. Joseph, "'Seventh from Adam' (Jude 1:14-15): Re-Examining Enochic Traditions and The Christology of Jude," The Journal of Theological Studies 64, no. 2 (2013): 463-481, doi:10.1093/jts/flt074.

[6] Alexandra Robinson, Jude on the Attack: A Comparative Analysis of the Epistle of Jude, Jewish Judgement Oracles, and Greco-Roman Invective (Edinburgh: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2020), xx.

[7] Cory D. Anderson, "Jude’s Use of the Pseudepigraphal Book of 1 Enoch," Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 36, no. 2 (2003): doi:10.2307/45227000.

[8] Martin Luther, Luther's Works (Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, 1960), 391-392.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.