Pursue the Full Life

Jude 12-13 These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm – shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted – twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
 
WE have one of Jesus’ comforting images in John 10:10-11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
   Thieves are trying to change the gospel. We must know it is only our Good Shepherd who leads us into a full life. A full life enjoys the reality of loving relationships with God and with others. We find joy in our daily lives because we know the most important truth is that we belong to God. Peace covers our thoughts and heart when we submit to God’s will, including forgiving those who sin against us. Patience guides our thoughts to help us through uncertain times. We treasure the fellowship of God’s people. God’s Word guides us to be gentle, faithful and self-controlled. A full life leads other lives toward the Savior.
   In contrast, false shepherds lead us into discord. They direct us to themselves with words as empty as clouds without rain and autumn leaves without fruit. They may be in our church, even celebrating love feasts (communion) with us, but they are not in communion with God. If we are blind to their deceit, they will lead us toward hearts just as barren as theirs. For them, the blackest darkness has been reserved forever.
   Then Jude once more refers to the past to enforce God’s truth. Jude 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
   Enoch, seventh generation from Adam, is described in Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away. Genesis does not record Enoch’s prophecy that Jude wrote. Other documents record Enoch’s prophecy. As  with Jude’s reference to Michael disputing with Satan over Moses’ body, it is believed Jude had Spirit-inspired knowledge.
   Jude’s short letter is long on warning. Let’s be sure to see this as God’s warnings to keep in step with the Good Shepherd. Be as rain-giving clouds to end a drought. Be fruitful people of grace and mercy. Defend the truth that leads to the full life. Be a good shepherd.