How Serious?

How Serious?
Words of Faith 7-12-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Jude 1
[7] Similarly, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

This text is not about Sodom and Gomorrah. But Jude did use the historic example of Sodom and Gomorrah to teach the severe nature of rebellion against God. This rebellion that was going around in the early Church was serious. A cheap grace message denying Christ's sovereignty as Lord had infiltrated the Church. Just how serious was this?
Jude pointed to three examples in which God did not spare judgment upon those who fell away. The first example was some who were led out of bondage in Egypt but later rebelled against God in the desert. The second example of judgment was that of fallen angels. The third example of judgment was that of the cities of the plain, Sodom and Gomorrah.
The language here compares the rebellion of homosexuality to the perversion of the angels who mingled with humans (Gen. 6:2). Just as the angels desired "different flesh", so did the people of Sodom and Gomorrah desire after a flesh that was different from the design of creation. The NIV translates this as perversion-- going after "different flesh." This was apparently even more serious than "sexual immorality."
Jude made a point here that we must interpret carefully: "They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." The point here is not that homosexuality can never be forgiven. We know that all sin can be forgiven and healed by the blood of Jesus. 1 John 1:9 declares that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. But, without the saving and healing grace of the Lord, such defiant rebellion will be judged by God.
The people of Sodom and Gomorrah did not repent. God destroyed the cities of the plain by raining fire and brimstone from heaven on the cities (Gen 19:24). This sin of going beyond a forbidden sexual barrier that God had divinely erected was not tolerated. Their sin was a defiant rebellion against God.
The point here must not be missed. Jude was concerned about "cheap grace" and denying the sovereignty of Christ. This is about grace which takes forgiveness for granted and a life that denies that Jesus is Lord. When such things infiltrate the Church, they must be dealt with.
We must be careful to avoid the danger of legalism, which denies the grace of Christ. But we must also beware of the lie of "cheap grace," which serves as a license for sin. We must also beware of the teaching that Jesus is just one of many great religious leaders. He is not "a way" to peace. He is the Way, Truth, and Life.

Father God, purify me as part of Your Church. Purify Your Church by Your grace and the work of Your Holy Spirit. Cleanse us from error. Walk with us in genuine grace as we seek sincerely to know You. Give Your guidance as You place Your call upon each one. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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