October 02, 2023 – Monday
Jude 1:17-19 NKJV
17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
Jude 1:17-19 NIV
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
Comments
The ‘book’ of Jude is only one chapter long, all of 25 verses long and it precedes the book of Revelation. I first wrote about these verses ten years ago today and posted the following (slightly edited) on Facebook then, Not just in the end or last times, but throughout although all time the mockers/scoffers have seemed legion, but it seems especially so today. And for them it is not enough to “follow their own ungodly desires” but they insist on receiving approval.
I stated then that I did not approve. And I still do not today. Not because I am some stalwart moral man, but because God says so and that is good enough for me. Instead, I am a sinner seeking after God through prayer and God’s Word. Those who follow mere natural instincts, or their own ungodly lusts do not seek after God. No, they seek to divide us over their own ungodly desires. We see much of that today, “I was born this or that way, so it is okay.” I am sorry, not sorry, but that does not really play for the adulterer or anyone else, much as they would like it to be so.
I only know of one solution, and it is found in James 4:7 (KJV), 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Clearly the second part of this verse is dependent upon the first, Submit yourselves therefore to God. Without this, there will be no real or lasting resistance.
Bottom Line: My bottom line here is As for me and my house we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15c), no matter how imperfectly we do so, this is what we do. And I would encourage others to do the same.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for making us aware of the deceptions that will be thrust upon us while providing a way for us to live while we are not of this world. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor