Growing In Godliness Blog

Growing In Godliness Blog

Faith

Displaying 1 - 5 of 24

Page 1 2 3 4 5


Surviving a Godless World: Lessons from the Book of Jude

Friday, February 21, 2025

Surviving a Godless World: Lessons from the Book of Jude

By David Norfleet

In many emergency services like the military, police, and fire departments, training and drills are a constant part of the routine.  Emergency personnel are often training for situations they hope will never occur.  Yet, the true value of this preparation is revealed when the inevitable emergency strikes.  These professionals are ready to spring into action, relying on the rigorous training they have undergone.  In a similar way, the Book of Jude functions as a survival guide for Christians, preparing them to face the threats of ungodliness and false teaching that were encroaching upon their communities in the 1st century.  Jude’s letter, although addressed to a particular group of believers, is timeless and relevant for Christians today as they contend with similar challenges.

The Shift in Jude’s Message

Jude initially intended to write about the “common salvation” shared among believers (Jude 1:3).  He wanted to focus on the hope and joy of salvation, a theme that undoubtedly would have encouraged and uplifted the saints.  However, as he surveyed the spiritual landscape of his time, Jude recognized that a more urgent message was needed.  False teachers had infiltrated the church, spreading dangerous and ungodly ideas (Jude 1:4).  Jude had to shift his focus to guide the believers through a turbulent period, reminding them of their identity in Christ and equipping them to stand firm in the faith.

Surviving in a Godless World

1. Remember Who You Are

Jude’s first piece of advice to the saints is to remember their identity.  He uses a powerful triad of descriptors: called, beloved, and kept (Jude 1:1).  These three words are not just theological labels, but reminders of who the believers are and why they can stand firm in the faith.  They are called by God to salvation, beloved by God with an eternal love, and kept by His power through all trials.  These descriptors should not just be understood as designations but as life-altering truths.  The knowledge that God loves you, that He has called you, and that He is keeping you provides the strength and security needed to endure any challenge.  Jude repeats this idea throughout the letter to emphasize how vital it is for believers to remember their divine identity in the midst of perilous times.

2. Contend for the Faith

Jude urges believers to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3).  The word “contend” here comes from the Greek epagonizesthai, which carries the sense of struggling or wrestling with intensity—almost like being in an agonizing contest.  This is not a casual defense of beliefs but an active, passionate fight for the truth.  The faith Jude speaks of is not a collection of human opinions but the one true gospel that was delivered once for all.  To contend for the faith means understanding its value and its vulnerability.  Jude warns that this faith will face threats, from false teachers to external persecution.  But the emphasis on “you” in verse 3 reminds believers that, while collective action is important, each individual plays a vital role in guarding and defending the faith.

3. Do Not Be Caught Unaware

Jude emphasizes the importance of vigilance, warning believers not to be caught unaware (Jude 1:17-18).  The dangers of ungodliness, false teaching, and persecution are real and must not be ignored.  Jude calls Christians to remember the warnings given in Scripture—such as in Matthew 7:15-23 and 1 Peter 4:12—and stay alert.  There is a danger of either being overly paranoid, seeing false teachers behind every corner, or becoming so complacent that one fails to recognize the threat when it appears.  False teachers are not a thing of the past.  They still exist today in various forms: heretics, charlatans, dividers, ticklers, and speculators.  They may come with appealing messages or promises but often seek to distort the truth for their own gain.  Jude’s exhortation to not be unaware is as relevant now as it was then.

4. Look to Self

While contending for the faith and standing guard against false teachers is important, it is also vital that believers look to their own spiritual growth.  Jude cautions that in times of struggle and defense, it’s easy to become so focused on external threats that one neglects their personal transformation.  He encourages Christians to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith” (Jude 1:20).  This means continuing to grow in the knowledge and likeness of Christ, even in the midst of trials.  Spiritual growth should never stop, regardless of circumstances.

5. Look to Others

Jude also emphasizes the importance of looking out for others, particularly fellow believers who may be vulnerable to deception.  In the face of false teaching and persecution, Christians should not only be concerned with their own spiritual survival but also with the well-being of their brothers and sisters in Christ.  Jude calls for a compassionate approach, urging believers to rescue those who are wavering (Jude 1:22-23).  Some may need sympathy, others need a more aggressive intervention, and still others need cautious help.  The key is to meet people where they are, always with a heart of love and care.

Conclusion

The Book of Jude provides a timely and necessary survival guide for navigating a world filled with ungodliness and deception.  His instructions for believers to remember their identity in Christ, contend for the faith, stay vigilant, and look after both their own spiritual growth and the well-being of others are as vital today as they were in the first century.  Christians are called to live faithfully in a world that increasingly opposes the truth of the gospel.  As Jude’s letter reminds us, we can endure in this godless world because we are called, beloved, and kept by the power of God.  The challenges may be great, but the victory has already been secured through Jesus Christ.

Preaching in Samaria

Friday, January 31, 2025

Preaching in Samaria

By Paul Earnhart

Jesus had a powerful influence on the Samaritan woman whom He met at a well-side.  We read of this in John chapter 4 (John 4:5-42).  When He first began talking to her, she was so concerned with her task of drawing the water from the well that she was not interested at all in the spiritual water He offered her.  But after Jesus had talked to her for a few minutes, after He had demonstrated His supernatural knowledge of her life and had revealed Himself to her as the Messiah, she forgot all about her water pots and went running into the city, saying to her friends: "Come, see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (John 4:29)

One of the greatest hindrances to true faith in Christ is our preoccupation with material things.  We are so busy making a living, providing for our families, looking for a bigger house, trading cars, attending concerts, going to ball games, hunting and fishing, and on and on.  And the result is that we just don't have time for Bible study and prayer and Christian service and attendance to worship.  We are just too busy.

It is altogether to the credit of this woman that even after Jesus had reminded her of her sinful life, she allowed Him to talk to her.  She considered the evidence that He was the Messiah and once she had come to believe in Him, she undertook to share that faith with others.  Like Andrew and Philip (John 1:40-46), she did not try to convince them herself; she brought them to Jesus that they might reach their own conclusions.

And the result was remarkable.  After they had spent time with Jesus, "They said to the woman, 'Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world'" (John 4:42).  Jesus is His own best witness.  Let us take the time to know Him ourselves; then let us take others to the Scriptures that they may see Him for themselves and know that He is the Christ.

 

Lovers of Light and Lovers of Darkness

Friday, November 01, 2024

Lovers of Light and Lovers of Darkness

By Paul Earnhart

If you go into an old barn on a dark night and turn on a bright light, you will see two different reactions.  The rats will run, but the candle flies will soon be swarming around your light.

Jesus came into the world as the light of the world.  And there were two different reactions.  Some hated Him and began almost immediately to plot His extermination.  Others, however, were drawn to Him and became completely loyal to Him.

In John 3:19-21, He explains these two reactions.  “And this is the judgment that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest their deeds should be exposed.  But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”

The true character and teaching of Jesus serve as a judgment on the deeds of evil people.  Once they truly understand Him, they react against Him; and, in so doing, they actually pass judgment on themselves.

In our generation, however, Satan has confused the issue.  He has made Jesus out to be a very broad-minded and tolerant individual who will accept most any kind of conduct.  Satan has also led many to think that believing in Jesus is simply accepting the fact that He lived and died for mankind; and if one believes that, one can live any way they want to live.  Those who are deceived by Satan in this manner do not truly know Jesus.

Jesus condemned sin in all forms, and He demands that we live as pure a life as we can live.  Nothing in the life or teaching of Jesus encourages sin.  And just as belief in a doctor means following the doctor’s instructions, so belief in the great physician means living as He directs.  He asked, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things that I say?” (Lk 6:46)

God So Loved the World

Friday, October 11, 2024

God So Loved the World

By Paul Earnhart

God’s love for mankind has been expressed in more ways than we can count.  His creation of man was an act of love, to say nothing of the wonderful world which He made for our habitation.  He gave us eyes to see and mountains and flowers and colorful sunsets to behold.  He gave us ears to hear and the song of the birds and the roar of the ocean to enjoy.  He gave us the gift of taste and delicious food to satisfy our appetites.  Who can count the material and physical benefits He has provided?

But when we try to describe the love of God, all of these things become insignificant beside the gift He gave for satisfaction of our spiritual needs.  Jesus described it in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  God knew that the needs of the inner man are greater than those of the outer man.

God’s love is surely the greatest love of history, and it was expressed in the greatest gift of all time…the gift of His only begotten Son.  Its purpose was to rescue each one of us from the greatest possible tragedy: eternal death.  And to provide for us the most valuable blessing we can hope to attain: eternal life.

Our world does not now comprehend what God did.  Our thinking is so dominated by our concern for here and now, for the needs of our physical bodies, that most people give little attention to the needs of the spirit.  But one day, all of that will change.  Regardless of how we may prosper in material things, there will come a day when none of those things can help us.  When we come to the time of our death, the important thing will be our relationship to God.  If we are not right with Him, all will be lost.  Jesus is our way to God (John 14:6).  Only those who believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  And belief in Him means full submission to Him.

A Salute to the Faithful

Friday, September 06, 2024

A Salute to the Faithful

By Norman Pence

Much of the writing, preaching, and visiting that is done today is directed toward the weak and unfaithful. Too often, we do not take time to salute those who are faithful to Christ and His teaching.

There is no sufficient way to show appreciation to those members who have remained “steadfast and unmovable” (1 Cor. 15:58) throughout the years. But you are to be commended for your faithfulness and attendance, even when other activities are taking place that you would normally attend. Whenever work needs to be done, we have come to know that, regardless, you will make the necessary sacrifices to be there and help in any way you can. It is a joy to be around and worship with Christians who display that loving willingness that says, “I am willing to do any and everything I can to help.” Your active desire to grow spiritually has encouraged others to have the same desire. Your love for lost souls has provided ways for many to be taught the truth and become active citizens of the Kingdom of God. Your faithful life has helped weak Christians to wake up, confess faults, and once again become not only hearers of the word, but doers also. You are the ones that constantly encourage the faithful teachers and preachers to remain firm in the truth, and we thank God for people like you.

You are also appreciated because you demand no special attention or praise to keep you happy and faithful in your service and assemblies for Bible study and worship. It’s not necessary for you to have your name mentioned from the pulpit or even written in the bulletin in order for you to make visits, help with the sick and shut-ins, or to invite friends to worship. You count it a blessing to have the opportunity to serve the Lord. You are a shining example to all that see you. And we believe it can be said of you that you are sincerely “seeking first the kingdom of God” (Mt. 6:33).

May God continue to bless you who labor so faithfully. The church will continue to grow because of you. Please don’t give up and thank you for your enduring efforts for Him.

Displaying 1 - 5 of 24

Page 1 2 3 4 5