Ezekiel 39 and Jude

I read Ezekiel 39 which was pretty straight forward. No comments on it.

I also read Jude, just for something extra.

1:3 - contend for the faith - When I think of contend I think of someone fighting for and wrestling for and standing up for. Do you fight for the faith or just walk in and out of it? Do you defend it when it is attacked or just turn the other way? Do you work hard, breaking a sweat for the Kingdom of God or do you just half-heartedly put your back into it?

1:4 - ... They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign Lord. - Two sure signs that it is not of God - it allows for sin of any kind and it denies that Jesus is the ONLY way.

1:8 - Sin that leads to eternal destruction: pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse.

1:12 - shepherds who feed only themselves - There are a lot of these out there today - leaders who lead for their own benefit. We have to make sure we are shepherds who feed the sheep and not just feed off of the sheep.

1:16 - grumblers and faultfinders - Wow! I so don't like this verse. It points right to my heart sometimes. We have to quit the simple act of grumbling and complaining. It isn't blowing off steam it is dishonoring God and wrecking our faith. There is more power in our words than we care to admit.

1:19 - These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instinct and do not have the Spirit. - This is the basis of division. People who do what comes natural to them instead of what the Bible teaches and who do not walk with the Holy Spirit. There is a big difference between going to church and walking in the Holy Spirit.

1:20-21 - But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. - Great way to stay in Christ - build yourself up and pray.

Love, Michael