July 21, 2014 (Monday)
Jude identifies himself as the brother of James. James was the brother of Jesus. One wonders why Jude did not identify himself as the brother of Jesus. Jude encountered the same problem as others of his day: evil people had invaded the ranks of the church and were teaching that Jesus is not the Son of God and it’s O.K. to sin. He pronounces doom upon them.
Jude – a devotional thought
The long history of Israel’s former love for idolatry and the sinful practices associated with it resembles the errors of Gnosticism which essentially said there is no such thing as sin, so do as you please. People fall into sin easily when the temptations are strong enough, so we are told to “avoid the appearance of evil,” and to love the Lord with everything within us.