Draw Near – 365 Guides to Greater Intimacy with GodSample

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Magazine editors have found the "Where are they now?" section to be a popular feature. Here renowned personalities of an earlier day are traced and their current activities noted. Jude is the "Where are they now?" section of the Bible. Rather than deal with popular personalities, Jude tells about "infamous" characters and what happened to them. Obviously, their stories are told to encourage believers to stand firm. Three solemn warnings are given to those who are tempted to turn back. Jude reminds his readers that the Israelites lived out their lives in the wilderness, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, and the angels who were disobedient fell out of heaven into perdition. Jude also mentions another trio: Cain, Balaam, and Core. Cain's "way" was rejection of God's way. This indicates selfishness and manmade religion. The "error of Balaam" refers to covetousness; people who wrap themselves up in materialism eventually lose everything. The "gainsayings of Core" refer to Korah, who rebelled against divine leadership and authority. His sin was egotism. All of these disobedient ones were destroyed. Jude warned that this will happen to everyone who corrupts the Gospel with his own selfishness and avarice. He sternly rebukes false teachers and insists on purity of religion. But Jude is not completely negative. He also gives very practical advice on how to live for Christ. He tells believers about "building up" themselves. As we associate with people of like precious faith, talk about Christ, pray together, and witness together, we grow in grace and the Spirit. Extremely relevant for our day, Jude is a book to be read carefully and put to use in our personal lives.