Replacing God's Plan!

Jude 1:3-4

Jude wrote to identify the apostasy that had crept into the Church in his day. There were false teachers presenting Gnostic beliefs as truth. They believed and taught the emancipation of the spirit while their flesh could do anything it liked and as a result, they were guilty of all kinds of lawlessness. Vs. 4, For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Lasciviousness is defined by the Greek word “aselgia” which means: wantonness, lewdness, sensual. HelpWord studies define it as “violent spite which rejects restraint and indulges in lawless insolence, shameless and defiant, contemptuous expressing deep hatred or disapproval.” The use of this word indicates contempt for and revolt against the plan of God. We can conclude from this text that carnal men have chosen to reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ and replace it with their own carnal theology.

Jude was also writing to warn future generations to guard against false doctrine. The departure from the “faith” began some time ago. What we are seeing now is the result of rejecting God’s plan and authority. We can conclude that this apostasy, defection, revolt is taking place right before our eyes. We can also conclude that as this falling away takes place, we can know that “the day of Christ,” “the day of the Lord” is at hand. See 2 Thess. 2:1-3.

God’s judgment is upon us because of man’s sinful revolt against His influence in our daily lives. One reason for this impending judgment is the apostasy that has crept into our churches. The ideals of a carnal theology have infiltrated the pulpit and replaced the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

Sin and apostasy must be identified and addressed in the Church. Our church leaders are obligated to seek for and teach the Truth. We are bound by our covenant and calling by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach and teach His Gospel. Today, we stand at the door of Christ’s return. Our task is to prepare for the appearing of the Son of God, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Our challenge is to make ready the bride to be united with the bridegroom.

The external forces in our world are pressing in upon the boundaries of holiness and righteousness which are so firmly established in God's Holy Word. We must push back against and stop this intrusion. 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” We need the correction of the Word by the Holy Spirit. This correction must begin at the “house of God.” This text indicates an examination by the Word and Spirit in the household of faith, the family of God, God’s house.

The Bride of Christ will be presented to Him as chaste, pure, undefiled and without spot or wrinkle. One role of the Holy Spirit is to illuminate the darkness and remove the covering for sin. The covering for sin is the absence of Truth. The Word of Truth illuminated by the Spirit of Truth will set the souls of men free to walk in the liberty which only God can give.

The promise of Christ is that as the pure Gospel goes forth, it is accompanied by His power and authority. When religious men compromise the Word of God, there is no authority of Christ, therefore, there is no power. If there is no power in the message, ask by whose authority the message has come. Is this my message or the message from the heart of God? It must be God’s message or we are Replacing The Plan Of God with our plan of the flesh! 

Revelation 22:18, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”