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	For By Grace are Ye Saved Through Faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God... Eph. 2:8

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OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF JUDE (By Todd Lewis)
Jude begins his letter with a short greeting and is eager to get to the reason he is writing, “To contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints”. (v3)
False teachers had infiltrated the church and Jude is going to expose them. By comparison he describes the error of these false teachers, the severity of their sin, and the judgments poured out. Citing the sins and punishments of (1)Israel after coming out of Egypt and God letting them die in the wilderness,(2) the fallen angels leaving their position of authority and now chained until the day of judgment, (3) Sodom and Gomorrah’s sexual sins being destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven, Jude says “They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”(v7)
He goes on to say these men are dreamers, scoffers, rebellious, and reject authority comparing them to Cain (the murderer of Abel), Balaam (the fallen prophet), and Korah (the Levite), who God destroyed along with 249 of his followers after rebelling against Moses by earthquake. Jude warns “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. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. (v11)
He reminds the people of the prophecy of Enoch, Gods warning from the beginning that these kind of men would come. Then quoting the apostles of Jesus he says “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires” (v18) and states “These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”(v19)
He finishes his letter directing the church how to be ready and or to combat these attacks He says” But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (v20-22) Still good direction for today.
In his farewell Jude reminds to give glory, praise and honor to to the God who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (v24) both now and forevermore.
REFLECTION
The impact for me in Jude is that the whole book is exactly what his stated purpose in the beginning of the book was. “To contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints”. (v3) Using Gods word and listening to the prophets and apostles warning, Jude paints a vivid picture warning us of following false doctrine and the necessity of sound doctrine.
I believe the lesson in the book of Jude is a good roadmap for the church today. A good foundation for building on to produce healthy successful Christians should be paramount. Jude shows he is not a novice and the proof shines in this dynamic little book.

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