There has been a growing divide in the church that Christians should talk about more. A divide that in the years following covid has become accelerated and more obvious. The divide I am talking about is what Jude called out in his book of the Bible. This divide is bad preachers not even trying to hide their sin anymore. Jude writes his letter to call out certain people in the church who are “ungodly people” and pervert the grace of God and deny Jesus.

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 1:4 ESV

Men and Angels

⁵ Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. ⁶ And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— ⁷ just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. Jude 1:5-7 ESV

Men and angels are here to serve God. While it is a simple truth men and angels also rebelled against God anyway. For example Jesus saves Israel out of Egypt and the very men who saw God work miracles of a red sea parting, a pillar of fire by night, and pillar of smoke by day are not allowed into the promised land because of unbelief. Angles in heaven have a first hand view of the spiritual glory of God. What do some of them do? These angels are revolting against God. Sodom and Gomorrah that we talk about thousands of years after their judgement stand before the collective world as a warning for their rebellion against the natural order God created.

Unafraid of God

Why has Jude highlighted these three separate events? He does so to make a point. Ungodly people hiding in the church, bad preachers, are not moved by the Holiness of God. They witness the Creator of the Universe interceding for good into the lives of Christians and will still rebel against God. Dear reader, first hand witnessing of miracles and salvation in others changes nothing in the mind of the wicked. How can bad people stay in the church is the wrong question.

Shepherds Feeding Themselves

¹¹ Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. ¹² These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; ¹³ wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. Jude 1:11-13 ESV

No greater description can be given to the class of leaders, bad preachers, in many churches than Jude has given starting in verse 11. These people given power and authority seek to use it for their own gain. Shepherds feeding themselves when Jesus told Peter to “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). Even worse these same Shepherds that are feeding on the sheep of God will also let the wolves into the church when they should be sacrificing themselves to care for the sheep (John 10:2). Their judgement is reserved.

Our Faithful Calling

²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. ²² And have mercy on those who doubt; ²³ save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:21-23 ESV

What can be done? The same thing that all faithful Christians should do at all times. The mission never changes.

Waiting for Mercy

First and foremost keep yourself abiding in Christ. He is the vine and you are the branch. This means serving others in Church. Praying for God’s will in your life. Raising your family not as the world raises a family. The world raises a family to seek after distractions and entertainment. Raise your family in the Church knowing this world is not your home. Be a person who is waiting on the mercy of God. Your hope should always be on glorification.

Show Mercy with Fear

Be a champion for the things of God. Whatever is true and noble think on these things. If as a Christian you ignore those who doubt or you ignore those being consumed by the wolves to protect your own skin then you are not showing mercy with fear. Mercy with fear is the motivation one has to take action. My fear of the righteous, perfect, and just God is motivation to show mercy to those who are perishing around me. This is not a fear for my own safety but a fear to motivate me to show mercy at the expense of my own safety.

Remember what Jude called the ungodly hiding in the church? “Shepherds feeding themselves.” Do not be a Shepherd of selfishness. Following Christ will cost you much. If it only makes you fat and soft then you are doing it wrong.

 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 ESV