“Beloved, using all diligence to write to you concerning our common salvation, I had necessity to write to you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith having been delivered once for all to the saints. For certain men came in STEALTHILY, those having been designated long ago unto this condemnation, UNGODLY ones CHANGING the grace of our God into SENSUALITY and DENYING our only master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-4
The letters of Peter in 2 Peter 2 and Jude have been a source of misunderstanding within the body of Christ especially in the regards to the application of Grace. So the verse “ungodly ones changing the grace of our God into sensuality,” have been used as a fear-mongering tool to devalue the message of Grace and to supplement it with the teaching of Law. However the only means to deal with Sin is through absolute, unbound, unrestrained Grace. There has never been anything given to us that dealt with Sin so completely in all of History except the Lord Jesus Christ; that is Grace and truth. [John 1:17] Grace is not our problem, our own law-minded, self-effort based thinking is. This being said, our immediate perception when reading the above verse is how Grace can be used as a cover for Sin. And it is a valid argument, Peter and Paul also warned us saying, “For you brothers were called to freedom, but not the freedom for an opportunity to the flesh. Rather, serve one another through love.” Galatians 5:13 & 1 Peter 2:16
However, for our main text to say what we expected to mean, the appropriate word would have been “abuse,” or “take advantage of,” or “make a mockery of,” but Jude said “CHANGED.” [Jp] Taught how the “changing the grace of our God into sensuality, and denying our only master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” is to be understood. He showed “changing” is in the manner of “to transpose,” or “to transfer,” that is to bring in the place of, that is, they have removed Grace and replaced it with another doctrine. So Jude is NOT speaking to us in regards to the mis-practice of Grace but in respect to the slanderous charge these “ungodly” brought against the teaching of Grace. Jude is in the process of exhorting us to contend for the faith, that is for Grace just as John was, “Watch yourselves, so that you should not lose what things we have worked for, but you may receive a full reward. Anyone going on ahead, and not abiding in the teaching of Christ, does not have God.” 2 John 1:8-9
Now this conflict as it pertains to the understanding of Grace is given substance in the letter of Paul, “But if in my lie, the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And is it not, as we are SLANDEROUSLY charged, and as some affirm us to say, “Let us do evil things that good things may come?” Romans 3:7-8 That is if God is glorified and His righteousness is made manifest in justifying the ungodly then let us continue to do evil so that God may be glorified, is the accusation the opposers to Grace brought against them for the purpose of pushing their own [any] law based doctrine. This gives us an indication of the way they are thinking. So Jude is saying these ungodly people have twisted the Grace of our God and slandered the way of truth as an excuse for Sin and have ended up denying the Lord.
“For the Law was given through Moses; GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
Now the fact that they denied the Lord is what gives support to this interpretation according to [Jp]’s teaching. If Jude was saying “they abused the Grace of God, through acts of lewdness” then they CANNOT possibly deny the Lord. Grace is entirely dependent on the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ, without Him, it is Laws, it is self justification, it is works. But if the Grace of God was [changed] polluted by the insertion of any other work based doctrine then the denial of the Lord Jesus Christ, is a likely outcome. Denying the Lord is an aspect of putting trust in any other form of practice and NOT being WHOLLY dependent on His Grace. Paul said to the Galatians, “I am amazed that so quickly you are DESERTING from the One having called you in the grace of Christ to ANOTHER gospel, which is not another, except there are some who are troubling you and are desiring to PERVERT the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:6-7 Paul showed the introduction of a simple Law of circumcision for justification, defiled the Grace of God even to the point of being considered a different gospel and a desertion from the Lord. That is they have started to move away from Christ.
Grace is the Lord Jesus Christ, therefore it is NOT possible to Abuse the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ AND Deny Him at the same time. Paul writes, “Now again I testify to every man receiving circumcision that he is a debtor to keep the whole Law. Whoever are being justified in the Law, you are SEVERED from Christ; you have FALLEN away from Grace.” Galatians 5:3-4 Here Paul showed, to be “Severed from Christ” also means, “have Fallen away from Grace.” Therefore if these people have indeed denied the Lord then they have also denied Grace and NOT ABUSED IT.
Therefore before going any further we need to adjust the way we think, that is the opposition to the Grace of God is not Sin but Law. Sin is the illness. Now an ungodly person is not only a person who is in Sin but also one who opposes the way of truth being a person void of the Spirit. So when addressing these ungodly ministers we need to perceive though they are false yet are presented as ministers of righteousness. Paul writes, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
The point is these ungodly [void of the Spirit] ministers are not openly promoting all manner of depravity but in seeking to minister the things of God without knowledge, they ended up opposing Grace & truth and are unaware that they are actually serving the enemy. And Paul writing in regards to admonishing those who oppose the way of truth, says, “In gentleness disciplining those opposing, lest ever God may give them repentance unto a knowledge of the truth, and they might come to their senses out of the snare of the devil, having been captured by him for his will.” 2 Timothy 2:25-26 So we have a clear idea that it is not Sin they are seeking to propagate however in promoting Law & self-righteousness they in effect are promoting Sin. “The power of Sin is the Law.” 1 Corinthians 15:56
So Peter, Paul and Jude all suffered from the same problem. Paul described his difficulty as, “Even because of the false brothers brought in secretly, who came in by stealth to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus that they will enslave us.” Galatians 2:4 Likewise Peter and Jude also write saying, “There will be false teachers among you also, who will stealthily introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master having bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” 2 Peter 2:1 [AND] “For certain men came in stealthily, those having been designated long ago unto this condemnation, ungodly ones changing the grace of our God into sensuality and denying our only master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:4 That is, the ministers who came in by stealth are the ones who sought to bind the Gentiles under the Law and they are also of the same sort that introduce destructive heresies and defame the Grace of God by labelling it as a cover for Sin and end up denying the Lord.
Now, Before the Cross of Christ; the Law, Sin and the flesh are of the same dispensation. Without Law there is no Sin & Without Sin there is no Law and without the flesh Sin finds no means of expression. So the flesh, Sin and the Law are intrinsically linked, and are done away with as ONE UNIT. Not that the Law is Sin but the LAW does nothing except reveal and punish SIN. [Romans 7:7-13] However, After the Cross of Christ we are living in the dispensation of the Spirit, Grace and Righteousness. For this reason Paul says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, the new has come into being.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 So the administration of the Law is in effect against the administration of Grace. That is the Law was given to govern the flesh and Grace life in the Spirit.
Paul comparing the Law to Grace said, “But just as at that time the one having been born according to flesh was persecuting the one born according to Spirit, so also it is now.” Galatians 4:29 That is the underlying condition that drives the conflict is a change of nature, between those who have the Spirit and those who do not. So those of the flesh will contend for the Law and the Spirit for Grace. It is not to say the Spirit is against the Law but the Law no longer has jurisdiction in the dispensation of Grace. So he says, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are NOT under the Law.” Galatians 5:18 The Law seems to appear in contention ONLY because through lack of knowledge it is still being presented as a means for obtaining righteousness. So the source of the problem is our unwillingness to depart from the Old Covenant of the Law. The Lord said, “And no one having drunk old wine desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’” Luke 5:39
And Paul in Ephesians addressing this very issue says, “For He Himself is our peace, having made both one and having broken down the barrier of the partition of hostility, having annulled in His flesh the Law of commandments in ordinances, so that He might create in Himself the two into one new man, making peace, and He might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross.” Ephesians 2:14-15 Now both Jew and Gentile have Sin in common [Romans 3:9] but the Law separated the Instructed from the Uninstructed. [Romans 2:17-18] But now, because Sin was put away through the body of Christ [Hebrews 9:25] there is no longer a need for a wall of separation; the Law is made void. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
This being said, at the beginning as far as Peter and Jude’s ministry was concerned, they had no cause to be concerned with the Law. And when Paul came to Jerusalem the church in Judea was NOT in commotion, the Pharisees who believed and many others who were zealous for the Law were all in one accord with the apostles. Even Peter himself still sought to show that he adhered to the Law and separated himself from the Gentiles in order to appease the representatives of James. [Gal. 2:12] So Peter and Jude whose ministry was to the Jews had a different approach towards the Law. They were tasked with bringing those under the Law to the justification of faith through Jesus Christ but they did not quite fully grasp the magnitude of what that meant, yet.
“Now certain of those who believed, from the sect of the Pharisees, rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.” Acts 15:5
Now the spark that ignited the disagreement in the Judean Church, which eventually led to rebellion is the question, “Should the Gentiles be made to keep the Law?” And the solution the church of Judea reached was, “Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles turning to God, but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and sexual immorality, and that which is strangled, and from blood.” Acts 15:19 However, they did not quite incorporate themselves to the same level of freedom. The point is why would they even argue whether the Gentiles should keep the Law or not if they themselves were not actively engaged in keeping it? So they were slowly coming out of the bondage of the Law through revelations as they came to understand all that Christ has won for us all. It was NOT a matter of teaching against the Law but pointing out that the Lord Jesus Christ is ALL sufficient. And this truth was in full demonstration through the Gentiles coming to the faith.
When Paul was rebuking Peter, he said, “We Jews by birth and NOT ‘sinners’ of the Gentiles, nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by works of Law, except through faith from Jesus Christ, EVEN we have believed in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 2:15-16 Paul was making comparison between the self-righteous under the Law against out and out sinners of the Gentiles. So he says “EVEN WE,” who have an understanding of our own righteousness under the Law have believed in Christ Jesus, just as they do. That is the Gentiles who do not know the Law coming to the faith to receive the promised Spirit was PROOF of justification by faith. Peter affirmed this saying, “And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, as also to us. And He made NO DISTINCTION between both US and THEM, having purified their hearts by the faith.” Acts 15:8-9 So the real matter under discussion was not so much having to do with bringing the Gentiles under the Law, rather they themselves recognising, the fact God was working mightily among the Gentiles was in itself bearing testimony to them that the dispensation of the Law had come to an end.
“For I bear witness about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of the righteousness of God and seeking to establish [their] own righteousness, they did not submit to the righteousness of God. For the end of Law is Christ, unto righteousness to everyone believing.” Romans 10:2-4
So the administration of the Gospel of Christ to Jews was NOT only dealing with the issue of Sin but also to bring them into liberty from the bondage of the Law. [Romans 7:1-6] Paul preached saying, “Through this One, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. And in Him everyone believing is justified from all things from which you were not able to be justified in the Law of Moses.” Acts 13:38-39 The crowning point is being JUSTIFIED apart from the Law, having been forgiven of sins. And for that to take effect they like Paul have to forgo their own righteousness in the flesh and set their hope entirely on God. “But whatever things were gain to me, these I have esteemed loss because of Christ…. and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through faith from Christ, the righteousness of God on the basis of faith.” Philippians 3:7,9 And it is this revelation that made Paul a prime target for persecution.
So when Paul came to Jerusalem on the final leg of his ministry many accusations were brought against him by those who have believed. “You see, brother, how many myriads there are among the Jews having BELIEVED, and are ALL ZEALOUS ones for the Law. Now they have been informed about you, that you teach all Jews among the Gentiles apostasy from Moses, telling them not to circumcise the children nor to walk in the customs.” Acts 21:20-21 And the solution presented by the elders was, for him to purify himself according to the Law that those who are zealous for the Law may see he does nothing against the Law. And this is understandable in part since it is their field of ministry, Paul himself said, “And to the Jews I became like a Jew, so that I might win the Jews. To those under the Law, as under the Law (myself not being under the Law) so that I might win those under the Law.” 1 Corinthians 9:20 However the point is how fiercely even among those who have believed contested for the Law, even to persecute one of the preeminent apostle of the faith.
And the break away from the apostle’s authority is traced in matters regarding the Law. When the apostles sent out the first decree of the elders they made it known saying, “Inasmuch as we have heard that some went out from us, to whom we had given NO INSTRUCTIONS, and troubled you by words, upsetting your minds.” Acts 15:24 So it was a break from their judgement, which later engulfed the whole church, which Peter, Paul, John and Jude were writing to address, sternly making the point of insubordination and the despising of authority. “They went out from among us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us. But it is so that it might be made manifest that they are not all of us.” 1 John 2:19 That is they have not continued in the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the apostles but have turned away to [any] law based doctrines.
Now the first instance we have of a clear violation from the judgement of the apostles is recorded in the book of Galatians. Even after the letter of the apostles and elders had gone out to all the churches clearly informing them of the decree, those who were for the Law were not swayed by it. So they, in rebellion, have continued to propagate the teaching of the Law. So Paul writes to Galatians, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as having been crucified? I wish only to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law or by hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being perfected in the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3 Paul shows here the application of the Law is to the flesh. And striving to bring them back to the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, he brings to their remembrance the first decree of the council of Jerusalem. [Gal 2:3-5]
To the very end Paul fought against those who sought to bring the Gentiles under the Law. And the rebellion that spread through the early church is best described in this one statement of Paul’s. “For there are also many INSUBORDINATE, empty talkers, and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whom it is necessary to silence, who OVERTHROW whole households, TEACHING things that they OUGHT NOT for the sake of base gain.” Titus 1:10-11 That is, they in disobedience to the ruling of the council of Jerusalem have sought to propagate teaching of the Law and have ended up overthrowing the faith of some. So he instructs Titus saying, “for which cause rebuke them severely, so that they may be sound in the faith, NOT giving heed to Jewish myths and the commandments of men TURNING away from the truth.” Titus 1:13-14 Now the point is they were not seeking to turn to Sin however because they were turning to man conceived laws, they in fact were moving away from Grace and Truth and were entrapped by fables and myths. [Jp] Truth is on the side of Grace and turning away from that opens us to all manner of falsehoods.
“And esteem the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom having been given to him, as also in all the letters, speaking in them concerning these things, among which some things are difficult to be understood, which the ignorant and unestablished distort to their own destruction, as also the other Scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:15-16
Again, our first response when reading the above verse is, Peter was also warning us of those who distorted Grace to go more into Sin. But that is NOT the Case. [Jp] teaches saying, “The world does not need a licence to Sin, they are already doing that.” So Peter’s point is, “the ignorant and unestablished,” being void of the Spirit, lack understanding of Grace and have rejected it. That is Grace needs a spiritual mind to understand it, it is the ministry of Righteousness ministered by the Spirit of Grace. Paul taught saying, “Which also we speak, not in words taught of human wisdom, but in those taught of the Spirit, communicating spiritual things by spiritual means. But the NATURAL man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are FOOLISHNESS to him, and he is not able to understand them, because spiritually they are discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 So these “scoffers” and “mockers” because they are of natural mind they have not understood the teaching of Paul and have scoffed at Grace choosing rather their own works for justification resulting in their own destruction.
This is supported by the statement Peter follows that with, “Therefore beloved, knowing this beforehand, you BEWARE, lest you should FALL from [your] own steadfastness, having been led away by the error of the lawless.” [vs.17] The error of the lawless, is the same as saying those under the Law. Paul said, “Knowing this, that law is not enacted for a righteous one, but for the lawless.” 1 Timothy 1:9 Lawless is an all inclusive term for ALL those in the flesh both sinners and those under the Law. So he tells them to hold fast to their stand in Grace and he says, “But grow in grace and in knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” [vs.18] which is the same admonition he gave in his first letter. “Therefore having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober-minded, SET your HOPE FULLY upon the GRACE being brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 So Peter like Paul also saw falling away from the GRACE of God in Christ to be the REAL Danger.
“Having a FORM of GODLINESS but denying its power. And turn away from these. For OUT of this SORT are those entering into households and taking captive weak women, burdened with sins, being led away by various passions, always learning and never being able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, SO also these oppose the truth, men being depraved in mind, disqualified regarding the faith.” 2 Timothy 3:5-8
Here, Paul first lists the sinful qualities of the people in the world [2 Timothy 3:1-4] and ends his statement with “Having a form of godliness but denying its power.” That is though they may appear righteous yet are bound in Sin. And he makes the point that these false ministers are of the “SAME SORT.” And in Colossians he warns us of such teachers saying, “Let no one disqualify you, delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, detailing what he has seen, being puffed up vainly by his MIND of the FLESH, and NOT holding fast to the HEAD.” Colossians 2:18 That is these [being without the Spirit], teach things which they only know naturally. As such according to their FLESHLY understanding they seek to implement natural remedies, laws and regulations that appeal to the flesh and pride of mankind, idolatrous practice of what they can see and feel, turning to fables and a worship of sensuality. “Which, having indeed an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed worship and humility and harsh treatment of the body, are NOT of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Colossians 2:23
And in pursuit to subdue the lust of the flesh through such meaningless practices that appease the flesh, they entice those barely finding their feet. “taking captive weak women, burdened with sins,” And bring them under the bondage of the Law. “For speaking arrogant words of vanity,” That is the things they teach, the things they promise. In this case, “they promise them freedom from sin,” teaching them to observe futile things that benefit nothing against the lusts of the flesh. “They entice [TO] sensuality with the passions of the flesh,” That is sensuality is the product of the passion of the flesh [sin] stirred to life by the words they speak. To the same effect Paul says, “For while we were in the flesh, the passions of sins that were through the Law were at work in our members, to the bringing forth of fruit to death.” Romans 7:5 “Those barely escaping from those living in error, PROMISING them FREEDOM, themselves being SLAVES of CORRUPTION.” 2 Peter 2:18-19 Which is an expression of the blind leading the blind.
And the Galatians are the only example we have of such practice. That is, those who barely escaped from a life of Sin found themselves turning away from Grace of God and being bound by the laws of the flesh. And Paul pointed out that the end of such things is, “The works of the flesh are evident, which are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities.” Galatians 5:19-20 Therefore again the FIRM ground here is they were NOT seeking to entice them INTO depth of SIN but satisfying their flesh through acts of self-righteousness. However by putting them under the bondage of the Law they have in effect ended up bringing them under the POWER of Sin. The conscience is not appeased in Sin, it is condemned, however the conscience can be appeased through sensual self-effort of the flesh, which is what Peter and Paul are referring to. So Paul in Colossians asks the question, why do you submit to such doctrines of laws since you are dead to the flesh through Christ? And he points out, the remedies which these ungodly ministers seek to implement testifies to the fact they are not holding fast to the Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. That is there is only one escape from Sin and it is through the Pure Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
So every aspect of reliance on any other practice for justification is an expression of desertion from God’s Grace in Christ. Paul says, “Now the Law entered so that trespass might abound; but where Sin abounded, GRACE OVERABOUNDED.” Romans 5:20 Meaning where Sin is in abundance ONLY the preaching of Grace is an effective remedy. So by the measure we find ourselves entangled in Laws by that measure Sin finds strength in us. So those barely escaping were those who were coming to the knowledge of righteousness through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is from this initial standing, which they have managed to misled them into the bondage of Law and have effectively brought them back into the pollution that is in the world. Therefore being under the Law is walking after the Flesh and being under Grace is walking after the Spirit.
And walking after the flesh will produce the works of the flesh. [Galatians 5:19-21] simply because the Law does not provide a remedy, only acts as a provocation, to reveal Sin to the one who is in the flesh. But if you are indeed in the Spirit, you do not need the Law since you already have His righteous nature. So we exercise the Spirit in faith [walk in Him] to workout the righteousness that is already in us. Point of Note, the Spirit DOES NOT work in us according to the Law but of Grace and Faith. Paul writes, “The One supplying to you the Spirit and working miracles among you, is it out of works of the Law, OR out of hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:5 That is through your own obedience to the Law you won’t compel Him to act as to have earned His merit. So the point is to one in the Spirit, the Spirit Himself has taken the place of the Law.
“For if, having escaped from the pollutions of the world, in the acknowledging of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and by these again being entangled, they have been overcome, become to them hath the last things worse than the first, for it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to have turned from the holy commandment having been delivered to them.” 2 Peter 2:20-21
So when Peter says, “the dog returns to his own vomit,” he is referring to both going back to the Law and to Sin. You CANNOT separate Law from Sin. “For apart from the Law, Sin is dead.” Romans 7:8 Peter is saying those who have escaped the pollution that is in the world through the knowledge of the truth have NOW gone back and are entangled again as a result of being put under the Law. Both the Law and Sin are expressed in terms of bondage. The Lord said, “Truly, truly, I say to you that everyone practicing the Sin is a slave of the Sin.” John 8:34 So being brought under the Law makes one a transgressor. Paul said, “If I rebuild that I have torn down I make myself a transgressor.” Galatians. 2:18 Sin, the flesh and the Law are ONE aspect. So when Paul writes, “Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to him whom you obey, whether of Sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?’ Romans 6:16 That is the same as saying, “whether you yield yourselves to the Law leading to death or to Grace leading to life.”
The world is already entangled in Sin, it is a natural part of it. The danger is NOT in falling back to Sin but being misled into religious forms of bondage that benefit nothing [against Sin] but lull the person into false sense of security of religious exercise from which it will be difficult to come out of. So Peter makes the point, “For by what anyone has been subdued, by that also he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19 The point is the enticement has to propagate itself while holding them in captivity through a practice of an apparent solution at the same time turning their hearts away from the GRACE of GOD.
Therefore the stumbling block is when we seek to justify ourselves by Laws, we are effectively seeking our own righteousness. “There is a way that seems right to a man but is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:11-13 Laws and regulations seem right to our natural mind but in the end it brings death. The Law is called the ministry of condemnation & death. [2 Corinthians. 3:7,9] And Paul described the purpose of the Law saying, “Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those under the Law, so that every mouth may be stopped and the whole world may become guilty before God.” Romans 3:19 That is the Law was NOT given to make us righteous, but to reveal to us, our GUILT. So when we practise the Law we are NOT practising righteousness but Sin. “Therefore by works of the Law, not any flesh will be justified before Him; for through the Law is knowledge of sin.” Romans 3:20
“Woe to them, because they have gone in the way of Cain, and rushed for profit to the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” Jude 1:11
[Jp] taught using the above verse to affirm the fact that Jude was indeed speaking about the Law and NOT about the abuse of Grace being an opportunity for the flesh. And he showed how each description given to these ministers corresponds to an item in the Ark. “The golden pot having the manna, and the staff of Aaron having budded, and the tablets of the covenant.” Hebrews 9:4 So the way of Cain corresponds to the Tablets of Commandments [Law], the error of Balaam to the Golden Pot of Manna [Provision], and the rebellion of Korah to Aaron’s Staff [God appointed Authority].
The Way of Cain: “We should love one another, NOT AS CAIN, who was OF the EVIL ONE and slew his brother. And why did he slay him? Because his WORKS were EVIL, but those of his brother, righteous.” 1 John 3:12 Cain is the expression of the inherent presence of Sin that is in us all, so John calls him, “of the evil one.” And the way of Cain is a term used to express the self-will/self-effort of mankind. Now both Cain & Abel knew of the sacrifice that was offered to cover their parent’s, Sin. [Genesis 3:21] But Cain failed to recognise his own fallen state and sought to approach God on his own merit. And John called, the offering which he made to God of the sweat of his brow and the labour of his elbow, “works were evil.” So while God accepted Abel’s FAITH offering for Sin and was accounted for righteousness, He rejected Cain’s offering. “Apart from blood-shedding there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22.
“They profess to know God, but in their works they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and unfit for any good work.” Titus 1:16
Likewise these also failing to recognise the utter hopelessness of their standing in the flesh [knowingly] have brushed aside the offering for Sin, the Lord Jesus Christ and have sought to be accepted by God by their own merit and works. So Jude says, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following after their own passions of ungodliness.” These are those causing divisions, worldly-minded, not having the Spirit.” Jude 1:18-19 Ungodliness means AGAINST the purpose of GOD, so it is not only speaking about SiN but the practice of religion contrary to the truth of God’s [Grace] is UNGODLY. So like Cain they are also self-willed and seek to establish their own way in justifying themselves. And just as Cain’s own self estimation of himself did not last long but resulted in him killing his brother, these also end up destroying others. The point is when we seek to qualify ourselves before God in our own self-righteousness we become persecutors, we become murderers and end up exemplifying Sin.
Run Greedily in the Error of Balaam: “But I have a few things against you, because you have some there holding the teaching of Balaam, who would teach Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.” Revelation 2:14 The error of Balaam was what he did to obtain payment against the expressed will of God. [Numbers 22] Balaam took it upon himself that if God was not going to curse Israel so that he may profit from it, he was going to instruct Balak on how he could make Israel fall before God, for profit.
“Having forsaken the straight way, they have gone astray, having followed in the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wage of unrighteousness.” 2 Peter 2:15
The church was becoming a fast growing phenomena and the opportunities available have not gone unnoticed. And Paul described such opportunistic ministers as, “And constant frictions among men corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth, holding godliness to be a means of gain.” 1 Timothy 6:5 Therefore the reference here is that these like Balaam being driven by covetous motives also have engaged themselves to teach things they ought not and have become a cause by which many are made to fall. [Titus 1:10-11] And Peter makes the point saying, “And through covetousness they will exploit you with fabricated words.” 2 Peter 2:3 It is because of such ministers, Paul sought to offer his services for free in the regions of Achaia. [2 Corinthians 11:7-12]
Perished in the Rebellion of Korah: “That no outsider, who is not a descendant of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the Lord, that he might not become like Korah and his companions, just as the Lord had said to him through Moses.” Number 16:40 This is an expression of rebellion through the offering of service which God has NOT ordained. Paul speaking of his ministry said, “Our sufficiency is of God, who also has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 So the implication for us is, these false teachers & false apostles are ones who have taken it upon themselves to minister in things which God has not equipped them for, being without the Spirit which means they likewise are also “outsiders.”
“I know that after my departure, grievous wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, and out from your own selves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30
The point is they may be found among the assembly of believers but they are disapproved concerning the faith and will receive the wages of unrighteousness. So they like Korah are also marked out for condemnation, “So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.” Numbers 16:33 And Peter and Jude use the same expression to describe the end of such ministers, “These are springs without water and mists being driven by storm, for whom gloom of darkness has been reserved.” 2 Peter 2:17 Therefore these false ministers engaging themselves contrary to the purpose of God will also likewise perish.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like tombs having been whitewashed, which indeed outwardly appear beautiful, but inside they are full of bones of the dead, and of all impurity. Thus indeed outwardly you also appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:27-28
Now we need to address the point why Peter and Jude and even Paul at times used such harsh terms to describe these ministers. The question for us is, were they describing to us the overt sinful lifestyle of these false ministers? The answer is [No], they were simply describing the natural fallen state of these ministers in the same way the Lord described the religious leaders of His time in Matthew 23. The Lord said, “For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false testimonies, slanders.” Matthew 15:19 which generally describes the fallen state of mankind. The point is if these ministers were indeed overtly sinful, then according to [1 Corinthians 5:11], they would not have kept fellowship with them. But the fact is they came in by stealth, they were accepted enough to feasts with believers, they had enough influence in the body even to cause division and were given due regard to minister to unsuspecting hearts. So they likewise “outwardly you also appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” For this reason Paul says, “But they will NOT ADVANCE much further, for their folly will be plain to all.” 2 Timothy 3:9
“Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin. But since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains.” John 9:41
What we need to take into consideration is, during the Lord’s ministry the Pharisees and Scribes were NOT worse sinners than the common people. On the contrary the Lord said, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness shall abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall never enter into the kingdom of the heavens.” Matthew 5:20 Nevertheless the Lord rebuked them most severely because they sought to establish their own righteousness and opposed the way of truth. His criticism exposed the heart of the matter, that is the fallen sinful flesh nature of ALL mankind. So Peter, Paul and Jude are not describing in these ministers anything that is not already prevalent in the world, despising authority, sexual immorality and seeking after covetous gains. However what makes them stand out from the world is, they like the Pharisees and Scribes also appear to administer the medicine but end up administering death. The Lord said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you traverse the sea and the dry land to make one convert, and whenever it may happen, you make him twofold more a son of Gehenna than yourselves.” Matthew 23:15
The key point being they are without the Spirit and being of the flesh their natural propensity is towards Sin, even when ministering the things of God. And it is in this blind state they seek to lead others and mislead them into destruction. So the apostles repeatedly affirm that these ministers’ pursuit is for covetous gain. Idolatry is covetousness. “For this you know, realising that any fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Ephesians 5:5 [Jp] taught when the Law was first given the first Sin Israel fell into was, to worship the image of a golden calf [into idolatry]. So the flesh will always seek such tangible things to worship. And an Object oriented worship is evidence of being in the flesh and NOT in Spirit.
“Which is a symbol for the present time, in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered, not being able to make perfect in regard to conscience the one worshipping, consisting only in foods and drinks and various washings—ordinances of the flesh being imposed until the time of reformation.” Hebrews 9:10
The Law was given to Israel in order for her to worship God in the flesh. So the circumcision of the body, the dietary requirements, the washing, the clothing, the sacrifices, the buildings, the separation and genealogies of ministers ALL had a part to play to that effect. However the flesh has now come to an end in CHRIST so such concepts HOLD NO bearing any MORE. So when a particular faith makes much ado about such matters through man conceived laws seeking to emulate Israel it is evidence of ministry of the flesh. A simple circumcision was considered a desertion from the Lord, how about books upon books of rules and regulation, customs and traditions and meaningless rituals making way for all sorts of myths and superstitions.
“For you shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men. For you neither enter, nor even do you allow those who are entering to go in.” Matthew 23:13
Now the Roman Catholic Church stands to this day as an example of a religion bound by MANY man made laws, customs and tradition from which it is UNABLE to break free and has become the source of many superstitions and fables. And the letters of Peter, Paul and Jude fully account for the degradation of this church, the important point for us to see is, it was not Sin they sought after but laws.
The revelation that put Martin Luther at odds with the Roman Catholic Church was the simple truth of justification by faith. [Romans 1:17] It is this simple truth that brought about the reformation. “For by GRACE you are saved through FAITH, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NOT as a result of WORKS, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 And it is their resistance to this truth, which in effect is the rejection of the Grace of God in Christ that every subsequent problem that exists in that church finds its root. Now the heart of Grace is, deeming the work of Christ to be ALL sufficient. And any deviation from this truth by any other laws or practices spoils Grace. [Galatians 1:6-7] And they have sought to implement many man made laws by which one may obtain forgiveness for sins. Deeds that appease the flesh as to have earned God’s forgiveness through acts of self-righteousness. Instead of setting people free by teaching them of the Grace of God in Christ, they have preached laws and regulations and have bound people in perpetual state of works and condemnation.
Paul said, “which some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to meaningless discourse, desiring to be teachers of the Law, understanding neither what they are saying.” 1 Timothy 1:6-7 The point is Grace is truth, the Spirit is Truth, however laws bring about worship in the flesh and effectively blind our mind. Paul made this observation that when the Law of Moses was first given the heart of the people was veiled. “But their minds were hardened; for until the present day, the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant.” 2 Corinthians 3:14 That is, laws bring our flesh to focus and blind us to the truth of the Spirit. So when we turn away from Grace, we in fact are turning away from the Spirit of truth. And the consequences of not having the Spirit as a guide is we end up being led by our fleshly mind: bound in works of law, given to errors, practices of covetousness, given to idolatry, being open to teachings of evil spirits and demons and end up worshipping in the flesh.
And the deception of such a mind of the flesh has led them to disastrous interpretation of the word of God making way for fables and myths to flourish. Paul said, “For there will be a time when they will not endure sound teaching, but according to the own desires, having an itching ear, they will gather around them teachers to suit themselves, and indeed they will turn away from truth and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 That is fleshly mind will give heed to fabricated stories of saints, visions of angels and the worship of them. Millions of unsuspecting souls have been deceived by such deceptive spirits and have put their trust and prayers in Mary the mother of the Lord. “Even denying the Master having bought them.” 2 Peter 2:1 So they daily profess a mantra of words that serves no purpose and have put their hope and trust in destructive heresies of men. For clarity, DENIAL is an ACT of putting our TRUST in anything other than the Lord, Himself.
“Your silver, may it perish with you, because you thought the gift of God to be obtained by money!” Acts 8:20
Peter warned saying, “through covetousness they will exploit you with fabricated words.” 2 Peter 2:3 Because they have A HEART TRAINED on COVETOUS practice, they have left the right path and have sold salvation to the people. Forgiveness is a gift of God, Righteousness is a gift of God, FREELY given to anyone who would receive it by faith. Yet contrary to this UNDENIABLE truth, they have SOLD decrees given by popes which are not worth the paper they are printed on, drawing away the hearts of the people from trusting in Christ and blind them into destruction. And they actively fan the flame of fleshly worship, having made every church building a shrine for idolatrous practices, burning candles and incense at the feet of statues and images. Rubbing and kissing of trinkets and effigies of saints, fleshly acts of false practice of worship.
“Some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, in the hypocrisy of liars, having been seared in [their] own conscience, forbidding to marry.” 1 Timothy 4:2-3
These self appointed beacons of light who have so devoutly consecrated themselves to God in the flesh, appear holy and ministers of righteousness YET their hearts are full of corruption having not been born of the Spirit. And through their fleshly mind they have given heed to deceiving spirits and have instigated laws contrary to the word of God, which have stirred in their flesh acts of unparalleled depravity of Sin. And these are mere synopsis of the atrocities committed, ALL because they have turned away from the GRACE of God.
So the overall summary is Peter, Paul and Jude were NOT directly speaking about Sin. Sin is an ILLNESS that afflicts the whole of humanity. The concept under discussion is the method by which one may obtain righteousness in order to draw near to God. They key verse for us to consider is, “They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption.” The blind cannot lead the blind. So the grievous error of these ungodly ministers is by blurring the way of truth they cause those who otherwise may have obtained salvation to fall. “And many will follow after their sensuality, through whom the way of the truth will be maligned.” Sensuality is the outcome of the practice of faith in the flesh. And the contention of the apostles was against a practice of faith that makes the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ without effect. So Jude says, “I had necessity to write to you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith.”
“Jesus says to her, “Believe Me, woman, that an hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is of the Jews. But an hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father also seeks such who worship Him. God is Spirit, and it behoves those worshipping Him to worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:21-24
Bread Bait. 
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