Gems in Jude

The book of Jude contains great counsel for Saints both in ancient times and in these last days, showing us who the enemies of Christ are, what will ultimately become of them, and how we can stay true to the faith amidst such wickedness.  Jude was obviously talking about situations in his day as apostasy was creeping into the Church, but I don’t think there can be any doubt that these kinds of heresies and evil doers are what the Saints of the last days also face.  He calls upon scriptural examples to show the ultimate end of the wicked and to encourage us to stay faithful despite the trials of our faith. 

                Jude wrote about those who had “crept in unawares” who likely were either members of the Church in apostasy who were corrupting the doctrine or those from the outside preaching to members of the Church their wicked ways.  They were described as “ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (v4).  Apparently they used the same kind of reasoning that Paul condemned: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1-2).  Because we have a way of repentance through the grace of Christ does not give license to lasciviousness by thinking that Christ will simply give us grace amidst blatant transgression.  These wicked teachers were also described by Jude in this way: “These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage” (v16).  They were those committing immoral deeds, railing against the true disciples with “great swelling words” just like Korihor in the Book of Mormon, and seeking the praise of the world in their actions (see Alma 30:31).  Certainly there are plenty of those in our day who do the same.

                The examples from other scriptural accounts that Jude used show in dramatic fashion the ultimate fate that awaits the wicked.  There were the unfaithful of the children of Israel who were saved from Egypt and yet were “afterward destroyed” (v5).  Those in the pre-mortal existence who “kept not their first estate” were “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness” (v6).  Sodom and Gomorrah who like the wicked men that Jude described suffered “vengeance of eternal fire” (v7).  Jude mentioned Cain, whom the Lord condemned to be “a fugitive and a vagabond… shut out from the presence of the Lord” (Moses 5:37, 41).  Jude also referred to Core—spelled Korah in the Old Testament—who rose up with others in rebellion against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.  Because of his wickedness, “The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods” (Numbers 16:32).  Certainly not a fate that we want repeated in our lives!

                In addition to showing the ultimate destiny of those who fight against the Saints, Jude also gave us encouraging words to remember in our efforts to live the gospel in a fallen world.  He wrote, “Ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (v3).  This reminds us of Paul’s words to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).  Jude also counseled the Saints to be “building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (v20-21).  In other words, we must have a foundation of faith in Jesus Christ and continue in the love of God.  Jude continued by encouraging the Saints to help others in their quest to stay faithful: “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” (22-23).  We must at times figuratively pull others out of the fire of sin and help them back on the right track.  Perhaps the most encouraging idea is simply that amidst the great troubles of our time, we can still “make a difference” for good.