3 Powerful Life Lessons from Jude

The book of Jude is a short somewhat mysterious book with some very obscure references – but there are lessons here, too! As we have journeyed through God’s Word, we have found invaluable lessons for life and in particular for our spiritual walk. So, here are three more lessons.

Some of the greatest dangers to the church come from within

This lesson hardly surprises me. As a pastor, I have seen so many examples of false teaching that have led people astray. So many have invented a gospel that is no gospel at all! Here’s what Jude said.

For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Jude 4 (ESV)

There are many ways to deny our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Sometimes the teaching of Jesus has been ignored or altered to fit expectations and desires. The Bible is often misquoted or quoted out of context to support a particular point of view or doctrine. That is why it is so very important to be a student of God’s Word. We must search the scriptures and establish what we believe based on scripture, not on the teaching of others.

We have teachers, pastors and educators who can help us understand the Word of God but we must also be very familiar with it and, above all, ask the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to the truth as we read it.

Beware of your dreams

I had a dream last night. Does it mean anything? Does it contain direction for my spiritual life? Most of the time our dreams are just a subconscious mish mash of random thoughts and fears. On rare occasions and in a variety of circumstances, God has spoken through dreams. Many of these dreams are recorded in scripture.

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

Jude 8 (ESV)

Our dreams can be dangerous. If what you think you are understanding from your dreams does not line up with scripture, it’s not from God. It bears repeating, spending much time in Bible reading and study will empower you to discern if the things you dream are consistent with the will of God.

The importance of spirit building

Body building is a popular endeavor for many people. They love to spend hours in the gym working every muscle group, ever demanding more of themselves as they increase their muscle mass.

It is of vital importance that followers of Jesus engage in spirit building. Increasing our muscle mass and decreasing our body fat has benefits but all of those benefits end when we die. However, when we are engaged in building up our spirits, we are strengthening ourselves with something that has eternal benefits.

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Jude 20–21 (ESV)

So, Jude has a final word for us that we should be building ourselves up in our most holy faith. That means we worship, pray, love God, practice obedience to his leadership and live like Jesus, knowing that he will help us get through.

Finally

Really! Finally, we will finish our journey through God’s Word with lessons from Revelation as our last book. I encourage you to continue to find lessons and live them out each day. What a difference they make!

Now available is the complete: Transformational Life Lessons from the Bible in Kindle format. Click here for more information.