Running the Race with Rob King

Learn how to build yourself up in your most holy faith--
Learn what it means to pray in the spirit.
Learn what it means to keep yourself in the love of God....and much more! enjoy. :) 

In a culture of tolerance and acceptance the truth is hated. We are to speak the truth in love but the truth is we often only speak of love because we fear the consequences. Jude reminds the Church that Jesus is coming back to judge. Are we ready for that truth?

I have seen this throughout the Church over many years of following Christ; people chasing signs and wonders and so called prophetic "words". God has spoken to us through Christ and His Gospel and His word. Isn't that enough? Not for some. Jude warns us not to chase fads or the liars that promote them.  No person has seen the face of God, been visited by Jesus or spent 90 minutes in heaven or hell and come back to talk about. Don't buy it. Do't swerve. Don't be led astray. 

Jude makes clear the judgement of God is very real. This passage is serious and somber. 

This is only controversial because most have not taken the time to really study the Word of God and what it teaches about His Election of us and our eternal security in Him. By His grace we have been saved and that NOT OF OURSELVES. Nothing good dwells in us and therefore salvation can't find it origin in us. This doctrine is the source of all peace and  joy in Christ! It was also a doctrine understood by the apostles and taught from the start of the Church. 

John has just honored one leader and now he is going to condemn another. He loves the truth and he loves the Church, so both must be done. This last portion of Third john is a beautiful picture of his passion and purity of leadership and his love of the people of God and the truth of God. Today's American Church barely has membership, not to mention church discipline.  I have known people that wanted to go back to house churches but none of them I have known would submit to Church discipline like John advocates in this letter. 

John loves the truth. In this third epistle he wants to encourage the church to support and be hospitable to those who teach the truth. In his second letter he warned of being hospitable to false teachers. In this letter he encourages us to be hospitable to true teachers. Great pastoral letter that keeps us safe from error and in the truth! 

Some time it is hard to tell if we are in a Church service or an Amway meeting. True Bible teachers don't wander away from the scripture, from the Gospel or from Christ. Paul said he teaches not about himself but Christ Crucified. I hope you attend a church that sings the truth and hears the truth preached. Be careful--as John reminds us today. 

People always claim "their truth". The truth is objective and outside of us. God is the ultimate Truth. Jesus said He is the truth. What is that truth and what does it do? Find out in this episode. 

Uncertainty and fear fill our world. We long for assurance of peace and insurance against calamity. Yet, in the midst of all the turmoil so little thought is given to spiritual truth and salvation. In this episode John finishes his letter with a crescendo of truth and assurance that are given to every believer. What a relief and what joy has been given by Christ---the only redeemer!