The Ungodly

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These people grumble and complain and live by their own selfish desires. They brag about themselves and flatter others to get what they want.

~Jude 16, CEV

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True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.

C.S. Lewis

I read the tiny book of Jude last week in the CEV and than sat there is shock as I pondered Jude’s warning. I told someone the other day, “If you have never read the letters to the Corinthians and to Romans in the MESSAGE, you need to read them.” I’m going to say the same thing about the book of Jude in the CEV; if you haven’t read it, you need to. Jude wanted to talk about God grace and His ability to transform lives but due to the false teachers who were creating such problems for the churches: he addressed the subject of discernment. The false teachers were “ungodly.” Mr. Webster describes the ungodly as those who are irreligious or immoral. Those whose obsession is to please themselves. Except for the word ‘irreligious’, I think he may have gotten his definition from Jude.

Jude compares the false teachers to three O.T. characters: Cain, Balaam, and Korah. Cain is the father of self-will. Balaam was guilty of setting his sights on this world: he allowed greed to destroy him and Korah is known for rebellion. Then he compares the ungodly to clouds without rain, trees without fruit, stars without stability, and water without purity [scum]. Then he gives us their characteristics: They grumble, complain, live to please themselves, brag about themselves and manipulate others. They are peddlers of strife and they think only about this life. WOW, is this not crystal clear. Jude didn’t beat around the bush.

Keep in mind that Cain, Balaam and Korah were very religious and all were professed “Worshipers of God.” I say professed because you cannot be full of yourself and worship God; it is impossible. None of the three really worshiped: they simply went through the motions. True worship transforms and none of them were transformed. All three lived primarily to please themselves which again the chief characteristic of the ungodly.

First day of VBS and all went well: our leaders did a great job preparing and I love the songs. We also had a great offering: we have enough to build one house in Guatemala.

I had something happen to me yesterday that shocked and surprised me: I would not have dreamed such a thing would happen in a million years. I don’t need to be too hard on others, my own depravity is pretty shocking but I will say this: too many people are living for this world and it has made them SELFISH. It is a great recipe for misery and unfortunately, the only thing they want to share is their misery.

We all need something to look forward to: LORD willing, we are going to the MOUNTAINS in three days. Underscore LORD willing: I need this mini-vacation. I have the same longing as David, “Oh that I had the wings of a dove, then I could fly away and be at rest.”

David texted me Saturday evening and told me it was raining. When I got home and went to the garden there was dust just below the wet surface. Once again, we didn’t get enough to measure. We will get one with the LORD is ready. He is good to me and I praise Him for it.

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