Who were these "individuals" (Jude 4)?
4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Jude 1:3 - 16
KJV - 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Asked January 24 2023
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Anonymous
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Shirley H
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Jude vs. 14,15: "And Enoch also,the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, 'Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousand of His saints; to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their hard things (speeches) which the ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.'" James 1:13,15: "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God. Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin, and sin, when it is finished brings death." Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." These people are heretics, denying God's grace and authority. They are clever infiltrators in the Christian community. Beware, there are present even today. Jesus anticipated them. See Matthew 12:15: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing..." Grace may be perverted by false teachers, or carnal minded people. These people think that because they call themselves "believers" they have license to do whatever they want. One hour on Sunday does not make a believer. God wants you every day. Christians are known by their fruit. False teachers are arrogant and have their own agenda. They do not know the truth of the Gospel, or the Bible. They do not understand God's words. They are not spiritually minded. However, they can appear to be very "religious." They are clouds without water, trees without fruit. They are raging and wandering stars. Notice in Jude 15, the word "ungodly" appears four times. These people are "worshipping" in the midst of true believers. Jude 18 warns that a mocker will walk according to his ungodly/carnal lust. They are of the world. While we must be merciful to others as we walk this world, we are always to be discerning. We need to use God's wisdom, that only the Bible reveals. We do not judge, but discern. Remember that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts and keep us close to God.
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