The Body of Christ

Jude 1:3-4, “Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

This letter of Jude gives us a sense this morning of what is happening among the congregations of the Church. Notice the use of the description, ‘congregations of the Church.’ We are members of congregations but the church is the body of Jesus Christ. What happens to one happens to all. We are encouraged to contend for the faith that was given in trust to us. The Apostles, those anointed by the Holy Spirit, entrusted the body of Christ to us. How have we done? Have we kept the faith that was entrusted to us? Have we been faithful in raising new Christians, making new disciples and teaching others about Jesus Christ? Have we been faithful in keeping Godly that which is Godly?

Jude’s letter isn’t a call to judgmental action it is a call to righteousness. It is a call to renewal. It is our call to restore our practices of faith that are sourced in the foundational church – the church planted by Jesus Christ in each heart at Pentecost. There are those in the body of Christ who can’t even say the Name of Jesus Christ who won’t even bear witness to His Lordship and Redeeming love. There are those who teach in the seminaries of this land who subvert and attempt to destroy the truth of Jesus. We must stand up against this perversion and say no to their destructive practices. Do not let them take an Exacto® knife to the Bible because they don’t like some things that God has said, done or spoken forward. Stand up for Jesus Christ as Savior.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for today – it was not promised us. Thank You for loving us and redeeming us through Your Son Jesus. Help us stand strong and call into accountability all those who use Your Church as their playground and seek to destroy the Truth expressed in Your Holy Word. We pray this in the powerful Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!