Liberty Does Not Give License

Cable television’s Ted Turner criticized Christianity and said Jesus probably would “be sick at his stomach” over the way his ideas have been “twisted,” the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Turner made his remarks Friday evening at a banquet in Orlan … More

Apostasy

 

This letter was written by Jude, the brother of James to all who were chosen and loved by God and  kept by Jesus Christ (v. 1). Jude longed for them to know God’s “mercy, peace, and love” (v.2).  While  wishing to write on a more pleasant theme of salvation he was compelled to write on a more urgent subject (v. 3). Godless men had secretly slipped in among them pretending to belong when actually they were enemies (v. 4). These apostates were not followers of Christ, but sought to wreck the believers’ faith. Claiming liberty in Christ, they interpreted His grace as license to do what their flesh desired with no restrictions. However, long before this the Scriptures had warned that these godless people were doomed.

Jude gave warning by citing three examples from the past of apostates who were destroyed (v.5-7):

  1. Egypt (v. 5) - an entire  generation perished in the wilderness because of their unbelief.
  2. Angels (v. 6) - those who rebelled and left their first positions and are now in darkness. 
  3. Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 7) - a dreadful example of what happens to those who turn from God to follow their own lustful natures.
Many people don’t want to believe that God sentences people to “eternal fire” for rejecting Him but Jude clearly teaches that sinners who don’t seek forgiveness will face eternal separation from God.

Application

I must be on guard as to similar types of teaching as it pertains to liberty and license.  It is true that I am set free in Christ but license does not give me liberty to sin.

Jude 1:1-7 (English Standard Version)


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