My summary + devotion

Aight, so here goes my summary of Jude.

Jude v 1 - 4 : We establish who Jude is, (half-brother of Jesus), and note the difference of his greeting, which leaves out grace (curiously enough)

We are also urged to contend earnestly for the faith (everyday!), and are warned against a certain type of individual, who twist God's grace into licentiousness.

Jude 5 - 7 : A list of historical precendents, a type of 'negative demonstration' as you would, of vices to avoid. This also helps Jude build up his case against the apostates, by showing that the vices seen in them, have been seen and condemned by God in the past, therefore implying that God also condemns these apostates (also seen in v4) These illustrations might've been used to open the church's eyes to the true nature of the ones they might be tempted to follow.

The list of vices is as follows, in order of appearance in Jude. Note that these are inferred by me, feel free to dispute them. Unbelief, doubt, rebellion, idol worship, Abandonment of responsibility, lust, sexual immorality, homosexuality.

Besides listing vices, Jude also reinforces the punishment for these, which is basically destruction.

Jude 8 - 11 : Jude's denouncement of the apostates reaches a culmination as he finally unleashes his condemnation against the people he's writing against, most notably, by starting off with the word 'Likewise'. He then lists the sins these apostates are guilty off : defile the flesh, reject authority, speak evil of dignitaries/angels, speak evil of whatever they do not know, indulge their primal, basic, animal instincts. He also draws more comparisons to condemn them with, saying that they share in Cain's rebellion and unbelief, Balaam's mercernary nature, and Korah's rebellion against God's chosen order.

Jude 12 - 13 : Here Jude uses several analogies to state how destructive and unfruitful these apostates are, comparing them to reefs which help to wreck ships, people who feed only themselves, clouds without water that give the hope of life but are actually bone - dry, trees without fruit, raging waves, and wandering stars which promise guidance but actually lead astray.

Jude 14 - 15 : Jude then goes on to describe how they will be judged and punished, according to Enoch's words.

Jude 16 : Finally, another list of their vices,them being grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, and arrogant flatterers.

That's my summary. My application for these, is to avoid all of the ungodly vices shown by the apostates. Some are quite extreme, and I doubt I'll ever have a problem with them, but there are many which I'm sure the majority of us have done before. Thus, it's to find ways in my life where some of these are being shown, and to erase them.

For my devotional thoughts, I just came across another familiar verse, in the form of Genesis 49:20. I'm reminded of the fact that God is in control of everything that happens in our lives, and what we think are bad events, might actually be part of his large overarching plan for our lives. And with trust in His pleasing and perfect will, it's all the assurance we need, whenever bad times come our way. It echoes the sentiments of Rom 8:28, and I find that extremely reassuring.

Terence