Jude

Read Jude in the New Living Translation with Life Application notes, cross-references, profiles and charts.

Chapters

Introduction to Jude from the Life Application Study Bible

Book introductions contain charts, maps and timelines that are best seen on the scanned pages: p. 2161.

page 2161

TO PROTECT from harm, to guard from attack, to

repulse enemies—for centuries rugged defenders

have built walls, launched missiles, and waged

wars, expending material and human resources in

the battle to save nations and cities. And with total

commitment and courageous abandon, individuals

have fought for their families. It is a rule of life that we

fight for survival, defending with all our strength what

is most precious to us, from every real or imagined

attack. God’s Word and the gift of eternal life have infinite value and have been entrusted to Christ's faithful followers. Many people live in opposition to God and his followers. They twist God’s words, seeking to deceive and destroy the unwary. But God’s truth must go forth, carried and defended by those who have committed their lives to his Son. itis an important task, an awesome responsibility, and a profound privilege to have this commission. This was Jude’s message to Christians everywhere. Opposition would come and godless teachers would arise, but Christians should “defend the faith” (1:3) by rejecting all falsehood and immorality (1:4-19), remembering God’s mighty acts of rescue and punishment (1:5-11, 14-16) and the warnings of the apostles (1:17-19). His readers are to build up their own faith through prayer (1:20), keeping close to Christ (1:21), helping others (1:22, 23), and hating sin (1:23). Then Jude concludes with a glorious benediction of praise to God (1:24, 25). How much do you value God’s Word, the fellowship of the church, and obedience to Jesus Christ? Many false teachers are waiting to destroy your Christ-centered life, the credibility of God’s Word, and the unity of the body of Christ. Read Jude and determine to stand firm in your faith and defend God’s truth at all costs. Nothing is more valuable.

VITAL STATISTICS PURPOSE: To remind the church of the need for constant vigilance—to keep strong in the faith and to oppose heresy AUTHOR: Jude, brother of Jesus and James ORIGINAL AUDIENCE: Jewish Christians DATE WRITTEN: Approximately A.D. 65 SETTING: From the first century on, the church has been threatened by heresy and false teaching; we must always be on our guard. KEY VERSE: “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about some- thing else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for ail time to his holy people” (1:3). KEY PEOPLE: Jude, James, Jesus

🖼 Map, chart or picture (see the original page image) — text in this graphic: NN RR,

THE BLUEPRINT

1. The danger of false teachers (1:1-16) 2. The duty to fight for God’s truth (1:17~25)

Jude wrote to motivate Christians everywhere to action. He wanted them to recognize the dangers of false teaching, to protect themselves and other believers, and to win back those who had already been deceived. Jude was writing against godless teachers who were saying that Christians could do as they pleased without fear of God’s punishment. While few teach this heresy openly in the church today, many in the church act as though this were true. This letter contains a warning against living a nominal Christian {ife.

🖼 Map, chart or picture (see the original page image) — text in this graphic: I

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