Animals

659.  "Animals"        December 12, 2012
Jude 10,11-Part 9
Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals-these are the very things that destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion. NIV

LET IT GLOW

Previously, Jude was exhorting us to contend for the faith, yet he continues to give us some bold reminders concerning apostates, false teachers, and false prophets.

Charles Swindoll, in his study guide New Testament Postcards, described the apostates this way:

• Their doom is certain, like Sodom and Gomorrah.
• Their tongues are blasphemous, speak evil, and are irreverent toward things that are sacred and holy.
• they verbally revile things they don't understand.
• Their religion is empty.
• They rejected authority, like the fallen angels.

Their way of life is to allow the instincts they share with "unreasoning animals" to run wild in the streets-unleashed and unrestrained. This lifestyle is governed by animal instincts, and withers and disfigures character:"by these things they are destroyed(corrupted)". Ephesians 4:22

I recall visiting a couple of towns in the Dominican Republic last month. I saw cows running down the paved street and another time a man riding on a horse. Pigs, chickens, and dogs were inside fences. I thought of these animals when I read this.

LET IT GROW

Apostasy is nothing new; it's as old as the human race, isn't it? Jude makes three references to Old Testament strayers:

• The way of Cain, on the broad way that led to destruction. He tried to gain acceptance with God through the fruit of his works rather than the blood of a substitionary sacrifice. (Genesis 4)
• The error of Balaam, who was a prophet greedy for gold. (Numbers 22-25)
• The rebellion of Korah, a Levite, which he led against Moses and Aaron, that resulted in Korah swollowed up by an earthquake. (Numbers 16) 

With this warning, we can conclude:
*there is a way of Cain instead of a way of Christ,
*there is the error of Balaam instead of the truth of Christ,
*there is the death of Korah instead of the life of Christ.

We can choose our ways following Christ, His truth, and life, or rebell and follow death. It's our choice. God's gift of grace is available for us to take, just for the asking. 

LET IT GO

Be grateful for God's gift of grace.

Watch out for wild animals, false teachers.

Stay in the Word.