My very favorite book of the Bible is Jude – there you have it. It can no longer be denied as my admission is now and forevermore in print as well as in cyberspace.  Yes Jude, a single chapter comprising 25 verses that can be read in four-to-five minutes, sandwiched between two of Apostle John’s books: on one side a warm, endearing letter to John’s friend, Gaius, and on the other side a hold-on-to-your-seat, mind-bending ride of spiritual, cosmic and earthly battles known as the Book of Revelation.  There sits Jude between the two: inconspicuous – maybe; superfluous – hardly!  As stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  However, when was the last time you heard sermon references from Jude, or you or someone you knew couldn’t wait for the read-the-Bible-in-a-year plan to finally get to Jude’s turn.

What is it about this book that captured my heart you ask? Well, this blog is the story of how reading this book changed my life forever, and why I believe the message of Jude deals with what it really means to be a Christian in word and deed in today’s world as we know it. Honestly, Jude’s message is as potent and indispensable now as ever before!

To begin, I must say God set me up to meet Jude quite early in my “re-relationship” with Him. Now before you get nervous about my theology, doctrine, etc., let me explain what I mean.  I was absolutely saved at 14 years of age. I knew I needed a Savior because I was clearly aware I was a sinner and deeply repentant for my sins.  But to be honest I didn’t know there was more to the story – I knew I had received forgiveness and Jesus was my Savior – but I never knew nor was told there was a deeper relationship to be had with Jeusu as LORD of my life. I just knew I was not going to Hell, that I had a ‘new’ life and I would see Him and other saved people in Heaven. Sweet. I set about trying to live this newly created life I now had, soon to discover there were many, many ‘old’ things that didn’t seem to understand they weren’t supposed to be around anymore!  Undaunted, I tried harder to be better, to be something else, but self effort is so exhausting and soon gives way to giving up and just doing the best you can.  Though confident in my salvation, I couldn’t figure out how the ‘new creation’ thing worked.

After many progressively backslidden years, and in what was eventually to become a failed marriage, God drew me to Himself again – actually, I acknowledged His voice and obeyed the call to return.  He even baptised me in the Holy Spirit but I didn’t know that’s what happened until much later!  I just knew something incredible happened to me and for the first time in my life I felt connected to and known by the God of the universe! He was amazing and I couldn’t get enough.

Soon afterwards I met Michael and Gloria and began counsel. During this time we determined I was Spirit-filled, a term I hadn’t heard before but really liked the sound of!  When asked if I spoke in tongues I answered no.  When asked if I wanted to speak in tongues I answered I didn’t know – and I really didn’t. My only reference to tongues was right after I was saved. I was staying at my girlfriend’s house and an elderly friend of their family happened to be there at the same time. She carried a Bible with her wherever she went – I was told when she took a nap she would put it under her head. She asked me if I was saved. I answered yes. She asked me if I spoke in tongues. I answered no. She responded with, “Honey, you are not saved.” I responded with,  “I am too saved,” and there we both stood [for those who know me , yes, my hands were on my hips even at that age].  She soon walked off.  I think back to that incident and am in awe at how God covered me – I was in no way upset or questioned my salvation or even offended at this lady.  It’s like a spiritual shield was placed in front of me to protect my soul from doubt.  I KNEW I was saved, though I in no way could have debated this lady with scripture – I barely knew scripture!  But the Spirit inside of me stood strong and I was not shaken.  Amazing.  So my response to Michael and Gloria when asked about tongues had no real negative of judgmental feelings attached – I simply didn’t know what I thought about it. We reviewed the scriptures dealing with tongues and talked about spiritual gifts, etc. and determined my plan of action would be to pray and ask God to show ME through scripture that He wanted ME to speak in tongues.  And so I prayed.  And so He did convince me. And yes, it was the book of Jude that settled the deal.  More on that later…

…because what I discovered in this tiny book was WAY more than an affirmation and ready access for every Believer to a powerful spiritual tool. On a personal level God revealed an element of my calling within the Body of Christ and to the world.  On a general level, let me preface by quoting from a song performed by News Boys, “we see what’s crooked for we know what’s straight.”  I think you would agree that biblical truth is opposed both outside and inside the so-called evangelical church.  Jude takes head-on that which would twist the Truth – he contends for the Faith in a day of apostasy that has continued from the first century church to today.  So, what DOES Jude say?

Please join me in mid-June for Part II.  In the meantime I encourage you to read Jude-a couple of times in one sitting-and note the things you think that make it relevant for today.  Until next time….