You Can't Replace God's Plan And Have God's Favor!

Jude 1:3-4

You can’t replace God’s plan and expect God’s favor! 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, and sensualness. 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 today 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, and 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 with a manmade doctrine void of life insuring spiritual death.

Sin and apostasy must be identified and addressed. Church leaders should embrace their obligation 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. (continued)