QuickThoughts: Today’s Apostates

The LGBTQ-affirming “pastor” is perfectly described in the brief letter of Jude.

They …

• are marked out for condemnation,
• are ungodly,
• turn the grace of God into sensuality,
• deny our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ,
• defile the flesh,
• reject authority,
• blaspheme glory and things they don’t understand,
• are like unreasoning animals,
• have gone the way of Cain and poured themselves into the error of Balaam for money,
• are hidden among the faithful,
• care only for themselves,
• are clouds without water,
• are carried about by the wind,
• are trees without fruit, doubly dead and uprooted,
• are wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame,
• are wandering stars,
• have eternal black darkness reserved for them,
• are grumblers,
• are judgmental,
• follow their own lusts,
• speak arrogantly,
• flatter people for their own benefit,
• cause divisions,
• are worldly-minded,
• are devoid of the Spirit!

These are the prominent apostates of our day. Such “pastors” need to be marked as such!

While Jude’s indictment against these wicked men and women is clear, he also provides instruction as to how we, as Christians, ought to respond.

First, we are not to be surprised by apostates. He reminds us what Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:3:

📘 “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”

We already knew they would come; they have been a thorn in the side of the Church from the very beginning.

Second, we are to continue to pray in the Holy Spirit, building up our “most holy faith,” love God, and patiently await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Now, while the condemnation of these wicked men and women who lead others astray is sure, we’re given a task for those who are being deceived by them: we are to preach the Gospel to them!

We are to have mercy on some them, particularly those who are doubting, and do our utmost to warn them of the dangers of hell. Call them to repentance. Bring them out of the flames with compassion, for it is only by God’s grace that we ourselves were not so ensnared.

This month, brethren, keep the words of Jude in mind (go read the whole epistle for yourself). We have more to do than simply call out the degeneracy and false teaching of the affirming “pastors.” There are souls that need to hear of the glorious, saving Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Tell them that they can be set free from their sin, free from their hatred of God and of self, free from the condemnation that is rightfully theirs. The grace and mercy of Jesus Christ can break through any barrier, soften any heart; let it be known!

📘 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, might, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25