Remember the Word of God
But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires.” These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit. Jude 1:17-19 CSB
We now reach a turning point, with the words, “But you, dear friends…” After Jude went in depth describing the false teachers, Jude now begins the transition to how to contend for the faith. He wants the believers, the beloved, the dear friends, to recall the teachings of the apostles. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:1, “But know this: Hard times will come in the last days.” Paul then goes on from verses 2 to 9 describing in detail the same characteristics of “these people” that Jude describes now. Peter in 2 Peter 3:3 says, “Above all, be aware of this: Scoffers will come in the last days scoffing and following their own evil desires.” Jude is calling them to remember the previous teachings and warnings saying something along the lines of, “This shouldn’t be a surprise to you.” The call to “remember” is a command. Neglect of factual knowledge is detrimental to their salvation. The readers must be able to recall the message of the gospel so that they can defend themselves against the wicked attacks of the false teachers. They must know that they can effectively oppose their adversaries with the gospel which has been preached by Christ’s apostles. The false teachers were driven by their own human desires causing divisions, as opposed to the apostles and believers, who, when accepting Christ as the Savior, receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit is what unifies us and helps us discern what is right and wrong. Paul shares this in Ephesians 4:1-6: “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” We need to lean on the help of the Holy Spirit and love one another, doing our best to stay unified, following the Lord’s leading. False teachers are only looking out for themselves and will cause quarrels and divisions, for they are following their own human nature. May we strive with humility and gentleness, contending against our own human desires and contend for the faith.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
