Creepy Creeps!

     Jude urges believers to "contend" for the faith that was delivered to delivered to them, to the saints, the early Christians.  What was that faith?   In the book of Jude, the Holy Ghost, through the writer, scolds and warns of departure from that "faith".  He warned that men would creep in on us.  Believe me creepy leaders abound.  He said these creepy characters would be "sensual" (natural thinkers) who did not have the "Spirit", (no relationship with the Holy Spirit).  Then he said "but ye".  No matter how important the words or the length of the paragraph, the word "but", in any writing, any paragraph, once inserted becomes the most important word in the writing.  Jude described those creepy leaders and then he described those who contended for the faith "but ye, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost".  There you go!  Contending, praying in the Holy Ghost, hanging on to that Holy Ghost baptism, Holy Ghost filling, Holy Ghost gifts, Holy Ghost empowerment, Holy Ghost revelations of Jesus.  That is what we are to contend for!

  It is through this expression of faith that we do the rest of the instructions in Jude, such as , "keep yourself in the love of God".  His love is your great safety place.  His love is the place of miracles.  His love is the place of divine supply.  Pray in the Holy Ghost and keep yourself grounded in His love.  Don't be fooled by those creepy men who are sensual and do not have the Spirit, but pretend they do.  Jude says they turn the 'grace" of God into "lasciviousness".  That means they put on a religious magic show of illusions intended to convince you the grace of God is present when it isn't.  Lasciviousness is pretending to do something, be something in order to create an impression.  In the world, it is a way of life we have become accustomed to.  In the church, it is a sickening thing which I will never be accustomed to.  Don't give me impressions of God.  I want Him.  Don't give me the impression of His presence. I want His presence.  Don't give me the impression of His gifts, give me the gifts.  Don't give me the impressions of His River.  I want the River.  Don't give me a show. I want the real deal and I am not easily fooled.

    No Bible book that I know of more appropriately addresses us than the book of Jude. We have been overrun with creepy preachers creating impressions.  They are, as Jude says, "clouds without water".   Full of swelling words spoken to gain the admiration of man, hoping for some gain for themselves.  Disgusting.