"Enemies of Grace"
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
May 1, 2012
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Introduction:May 1, 2012 "Enemies of Grace" Jude, the most neglected of New Testament books, will be the starting point for this newsletter. Jude parallels, while supplying fullness to, Simon's work in II Peter. Themes in both volumes address the hard reality: there are those who are "ungodly" sown among the saints (Tares). Notice (1) They have crept in unnoticed; (2) They were fore-ordained (appointed, chosen, marked out) for their tasks (similar to Judas); (3) They turn the GRACE of GOD into lewdness (using a huge degree of deception); (4) They deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.Jude 4 How is it that one can "turn the grace of God into lewdness (wantonness)," all the while denying the rights of grace? Could it be they accept a theology of grace, but keep out the Lord Jesus' rights in the equation? Could it be these guys (foreordained of old) are examples of fallen angels masquerading as sons of light, their mission being to corrupt grace and to separate it from the Lordship of Christ? When Jesus is not the one in control, then Biblical grace is corrupted. This juncture allows one to make his own modern application, for it is not difficult to spot such work among the congregations of today.Word Study: Deny: NT:720 arneomai (ar-neh'-om-ahee); perhaps from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and the middle voice of NT:4483; to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate: KJV - deny, refuse.(Abnegate is a great translation: Refuse or deny rights to oneself, to relinquish, give up, to renounce.) Example: Preaching forgiveness with no demand for repentance. How does Jude depict these grace twisters? He said they were like the ones who perished in the desert after receiving grace in Egypt. The rescued Hebrews created a calf idol and worshipped it as their deliverer. They joined the multitudes of modern religion that create their version of what the Scriptures say and declare them as valid guidelines of faith. They were like fallen angels who lived under the reign of the Most High, yet rebelled against Him. (How often the scriptures caution about "tasting" of the ways of the Lord, then denying Him.) Having accepted the voice of another as authority, they gave example for modern cults who hear not the voice of the Spirit. They were like the homosexuals of Sodom who had grace on them for Lot's sake, but eclipsed their day of grace. Time for them ran out. The angels pronounced judgment, and it was too late to explore options. Fire rained down on a people who refused to repent. Jude explodes with passion as he describes further those who twist God's grace. He shows his disdain for all that is against the Lord and shows his own disgust, being incensed, as if he had been violated by their actions. He calls them "dreamers." His Hebrew mind may have gone back to the meaning of the term as it was used in Jeremiah. When Jeremiah, the only prophet with God's authority, confronted an array of religious charlatans--he heaped them together as a single unit, full of lies and errors. Jeremiah used "dreamers" as someone who claims "special revelation." He characterized the five groups as having one goal: to dispossess the saints from their land (take away what God had given them).Jude 8 Three aspects summarize their sin. In the third aspect, they go beyond measure and speak evil of God's dignitaries.Jeremiah 27:9-10 (Author's note: It has been my prayer for many years that God would acquaint me with the end time dignitaries. Recognizably, they are often not "Platform apparent" and many times they are off the radar of religion---I have asked the Lord to "point them out." Far better is it to know "God's dignitaries" than man's prescribed ones. Those who occupy leadership positions and spotlights are often put to shame by the humble character of those God considers "kingdom dignitaries." Lord, help us to meet them, to embrace them, to associate with them, to cherish them.) The dreamers are the opposite of the dignitaries; they lack revelation and spiritual discernment. They criticize spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues, prophecy and the move of the Spirit, as well as, any other Spirit directed activity. They operate from their human reasoning and not from the authority of Christ. Thus, they function like brute beasts.Jude 10 Their goal is to turn grace into something other than the vehicle God uses to bring mankind into the perfection found in Jesus. They work against the flow of grace bringing men and women into the fullness of Christ. How on earth did Jude get such a clear picture of these Tares? Did he have some persons in mind? Did he choose his characterizations out of anger and frustration or did the Spirit prompt each attribute? Can you not see these identical types operating in the open in your church or fellowship? Jude compares them to the likes of Cain, Balaam and Korah. They are like Cain in his refusal to bring to God an acceptable sacrifice and killing his brother who did. They are like Balaam, who took money to curse the "Blessed." They are like Korah, who challenged God's dignitary, Moses. Jude declares that Enoch saw them thousands of years before and declared them as the ones saints will judge when Jesus comes. These are they who have said too much, pushed the envelope to the breaking point and caused God to record their speeches against Him. These are they who are:Jude 15 Verse 17 characterizes many ministries today. "Flattering people to gain advantage," is so common place that no commentary need explain.Jude 16-17 There are: Are you acquainted with any of these? Do any sit in your Bible studies or teach? Do any lead public worship? Do any draw you aside for "special words?"Jude 18-19 There is an antidote for such poison. Grace calls for edification (building up). Paul taught it consistently in his epistles and John's epistles are blueprints for living the grace-filled life.Jude 20-21 Note: Jude emphasizes building faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. I believe this includes speaking in tongues and exercising a prayer language. How long has it been since you prayed thusly? How long since the church had an altar call for the Baptism of the Spirit and fire? How long? Verse 21 says, "Keeping oneself in the love of God and looking for the mercy of the Lord Jesus," catalyses faith. The great people of faith throughout history have all displayed these two traits. God's people still do. Jude thought it necessary to "remind" the saints not to let their guard down. Well, what he warned about has happened and now the "grace twisters" have multiplied and are so entrenched that whole congregations are embracing their form and fashion. Beware! (A few paragraphs ago, I mentioned John's epistles as edifying against "grace twisting." Moreover, John describes the road to such activity as being paved with denial and untruth. The "deception of the subtle" leads the saint to be almost unable to disentangle himself from the web of the twisters.) Review this sampling of John's advice. In ten (10) short verses, John identifies the twisters and delegates them to the devil. He sums his arguments by comparing two brethren: Demetrius and Diotrephes.1 John 1:6 In similar manner Paul took the arguments associated with "the twisters" and wove them throughout his epistles. (Please reference each of the following twelve (12) Scriptures wherein Paul warns, as did Jude and Peter, about those who were sown among the saints.)Diotrephes: 3 John 9-11I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.Demetrius: 3 John 12Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true. Evidently, the early disciples and apostles considered the flock vulnerable to unscrupulous tares. They sought on every hand to warn the saints under their domain against those "who plot." Why don't we hear such warnings today? Why have many of these Scriptures been wrested from sermon patterns and not taught as a unit? How long has it been since the primary lesson or teaching originated from all the verses of Jude? How long would it take to rehearse the twelve scriptures of Paul or the advice of John?Romans 6:1-3 True Grace cares. It cares about the overall welfare of its recipients. It takes into consideration the long range aspects of the Christian walk. It looks out for those it inhabits and with the communion of the Spirit causes "people on the path" to understand how important it is to guard what has been entrusted them and shield themselves from those who seek to corrupt its work. John Newton wrote "Amazing Grace" and penned, not just a memorable song, but a doctrinal statement of the wealth of knowing this grace. The mighty gallery of those gone before would cringe if they beheld the slothful multitudes who brandish a cheap grace today. They knew, as do we, the cost of Calvary and the suffering that brought grace to them. It was not trivial spouting that wrote: Ephesians 1:3-6 Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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