Jude

Jude is the only biblical author to identify himself by family relations. Declaring himself the brother of James, he could only have been referring to the Apostle James, the half-brother of Christ, making Jude also the half-brother of Christ. Like most pastors, he would have preferred to write a letter imparting joy at the like-mindedness of his shared faith and salvation through Jesus Christ. Jude wanted to do this but instead found it more necessary to exhort his readers to fight for their faith (v3) due to the apostates now having crept into their midst unnoticed (v4). *see also 1 Tim 6:12 "Fight the good fight of the faith..." As he addresses this threat, his letter delivers four points regarding apostates: The Danger of Apostates (vv3-4), The Doom of Apostates (vv5-7), The Description of Apostates (vv8-16), and The Defense Against Apostates (vv17-23). Consider the relevance of these verses for your circumstances today. Do you need to be made aware of this threat, reaffirmed that judgment awaits those who reject authority and blaspheme (v9), reminded of what to look for, or know what to do when facing the threat of apostasy? Ask the Lord what He would have you apply for your life from them today.