ESOCS Devotional 17 December
TEXT: JUDE 1-13
MEMORY VERSE: “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24 KJV
In our text today, Jude’s writing came as a warning against certain nominal Christians who “crept in unawares”, that is, without the knowledge of innocent true believers (v 4). As servants of the devil, their entry threatened to undermine and destroy the fellowship of believers by their ambitious and immoral character. Those who follow their path can be certain of God’s judgment.
In the same vein, Jude’s writing addresses the contemporary Church as well. Thus, we must be alert to those who, through their teaching, promote discord among the denominations of the universal Church, for their own selfish interest (Titus 3:10). The lifestyle shown by such false teachers is one of greed, self-aggrandizement (Matt. 16:26), and immorality. They deny the Lordship of Christ, and exalt themselves against authority, with a deadly tendency towards materialism.
Amongst these false teachers in the religious world of today are those who practise spiritism, in the name of seers and/or prophets (Matt. 24:11). They are nothing more than the false prognosticators (those who practised Gnosticism), in the first and second centuries. They have so hypnotized a sizable chunk of the Christian population that true deliverance is now a far cry with these victims of theirs.
Jude concludes with an exhortation that true believers should protect themselves from these false teachers and false prophets, by clinging to FAITH, LOVE and HOPE in Christ Jesus, through the medium of the Holy Spirit.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
CHALLENGES
False teachers and false prophets are now more in number than teachers of the truth. Do you agree? Discuss.
PRAYER POINT
Lord Jesus, save me from the hands and influence of the false teachers and false prophets of our time. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 15:1-15; 16:20-33; Revelation 2:1-12
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ESOCS Devotional 17 December
