EVENING
SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 8/27/2025 9:43 PM
My
Worship Time Focus:
“To The Confused”
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: Jude
22
Message of the verse: “22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting;
In yesterday evenings SD we just looked at the introduction to
Jude 22-23, and I mentioned that there were three sub-points under this
section. I want to look at the first one
this evening, which will be a short one, and tomorrow’s will also be rather
short, but then the next days will be longer.
I have to admit that I did not know that I was going to study the book
of Jude, but I am so happy that when I received John MacArthur’s commentary on
2 Peter that it also included the book of Jude, as they are similar things in
both books. Jude is the only letter in
the Bible written by Jude, the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 2
Peter is the very last letter that Peter wrote that is in the Word of God, and
I have always like reading this second letter of Peter, which, Lord willing I
will begin to study after I finish up with this letter by Jude.
Now remember we are talking about
false teachers when we study most of Jude’s letter, and false teachers have
been around throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and we still have them
today, in fact it is my belief that the Bible teaches us that their teaching
will get worse the closer that we get to the return of the Lord Jesus
Christ. Now the heretical and deceptive
statements made by these false teachers, along with their licentious lifestyles
can easily confuse some people that are within the church. Examples come from 2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that, as the serpent
deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the
simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” Next we will look at Galatians 3:1-5 and
then compare that with Galatians 1:6-9. “1
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ
was publicly portrayed as crucified? 2 This is the only thing I want to
find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by
hearing with faith? 3 Are
you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the
flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain — if indeed it
was in vain? 5 So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works
miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” “6 I am amazed that you are so quickly
deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which
is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and
want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from
heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you,
he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man
is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be
accursed!” Now as mentioned these
things are still happening today, as Satan’s tactics never change, and foolish
men continue to fall for them. Now in reaching out to such people, Jude called
the church to have mercy on them,
showing kindness, compassion, and sympathy to those who are doubting.
John MacArthur concludes this short
section by writing: “Like wolves
stalking sheep, false teachers prey on weak people (cf. 2 Tim. 3:6),
individuals who are vacillating, unsure, and mired in doubt (James 1:6-8; cf.
Pss. 73:13-16; 77:7-9). Those who are
strong must show mercy to such souls as they are torn between truth and error
(cf. Eph. 4:14), commitment and noncommitment (Heb. 3:7-4:13; 6:1-12). Showing mercy does not mean ignoring the
seriousness of false or commending the weak for their vacillation. But it does mean exhorting such people with
the truth, in meekness and patience, being diligent to present the gospel to
them before they are permanently caught in heresy.”
8/27/2025 10:06 PM
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