Through the Bible in one year in 15 minutes a day, from Bible Pathway Ministries
December 22, 2015 Read II John, III John, Jude
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ (Jude 1:3-4).
The Book of Jude is comprised of only one, 27 verse chapter, yet its message is vital to the well-being of every Christian in the world today. Jude addresses the thorny issue of the false teachers that are infiltrating the church, contradicting the WORD of God and working to draw Christians away from the truth before our LORD's return. It should be the desire of every child of God to faithfully follow Jude's exhortation to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. We must always be ready to defend by whatever means necessary, the true and unaltered message of salvation through Jesus Christ our LORD.
To earnestly contend for the faith implies not only the belief that All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:(II Tim. 3:16), but also the understanding that Scripture alone is the final WORD on all doctrine of the church. We must stand firm against those that seek to dilute or add to the WORD of God. Anyone that stands before you and states that, in order to be saved, you must do either more or less than the Bible requires is a liar and must be rebuked.
Balaam (Num. 34:16) and Core (Korah) (Num. 16) are mentioned as examples of leaders who perished because they rejected God's revealed truth to promote their own interests (Jude 1:11). In today's church there is a subtle and deceptive push by certain fringe groups towards joining hands with religions that reject Jesus of Nazareth as the Only LORD God, and our LORD Jesus Christ. As true believers, we must realize that God calls us to minister to others with godly love in an attempt to share the true message of Christ; however, He warns us not to allow ourselves to be corrupted by those to who we are ministering. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Jude 1:22-23).
The most insidious of all false teachers will not deny God directly; they will pay lip service to His will, while at the same time introducing their own. Jude warns that such deceivers will be judged in the same manner as God has judged all who have stood against Him. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (Jude 1:6). They may have familiarized themselves with God's written WORD to some degree, but they have not received the Living WORD, the Son of God into their hearts. We must recognize them for what they are and prepare ourselves to stand against them, united in our faith and our love for our LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Eph. 6:13).
Thought for Today: To express godly love requires selflessness without motivation; as this is contrary to our sinful nature, we must rely on God in order to achieve it.
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Bible Pathway Ministries
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
The Great Commission, that Jesus entrusted to the New Testament church, has continually been passed down through the ages until today where it reaches us. This commission is needed to be carried more today than ever. The commission to carry the Word of God to every corner of the world. The commission to have every person on this planet to learn of Jesus Christ and His great gift to mankind. Human souls are hungry for God's Word and many do not even know what they desire. They stand in the valley of decision. How are they to find the truth?
Bible Pathway Ministries International has one true purpose. This is to feed that hunger for God's Word. The mission God has given us is get the Word of God into the hands of every human possible and so they might be able to read and understand it. This is necessary because it is in God's Word we find the answers to life's questions. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16-17.
"This means that God, through His Word, provides everything necessary for us to be fully prepared to be the person God wants us to be in order to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. I believe that the whole future course, character, and testimony of the Body of Christ depends - not partly - but entirely on the Spirit of God writing deeply in our hearts the importance of living all of the Scriptures. No one can live something they don't know."
- John A. Hash, Founder & Executive Director of Bible Pathway Ministries.
Bible Pathway Ministies
P.O box 20123
Murfreesboro, TN 37129-0123
mail@biblepathway.org
Phone: 615 896 4243
Toll Free: 800 598 7884
Fax: 615 893 1744
