Woe Unto Them

Jude was writing to the saints and pleading that they “should earnestly contend for the faith” (v. 3). There were ungodly men (v. 4), who turned the grace of God into lasciviousness or morally perverted the gospel (Eph 4:19). Jude charged them with several crimes; particularly with “the way of Cain,” “the error of Balaam,” and “the gainsaying of Core.” These evil men hate their brethren, like Cain who murdered his brother Abel (Gen 4:8). He devised his own religion by refusing to approach God in the prescribed manner (Gen 4:3). God already gave His plan of salvation to Adam and Eve (Gen 3:21), but Cain ignored it by following his own ways (Prov 16:9).

 Sadly, many professing believers today ignore God’s word by exalting their own philosophy, tradition, and religion (Col 2:8). It is their way of self-righteousness rather than faith and grace (1 Tim 6:21). These men also followed the covetous example of Balaam (Num 22:5), “who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2 Pet 2:15). He taught God’s people “to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication” (Rev 2:14). Although he professed to love the truth, he actually served money and prestige more than he served God (Num 22:18)! Balaam was a type of many compromising preachers today – they want the reputation of godliness, “but inwardly they are ravening wolves” (Mt 7:15).

They are deceivers who “serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly” (Rom 16:18). Core is the Greek form of Korah, an Old Testament Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Num 16:1). He was a proud man who refused to submit to God’s appointed leader. The spirit of Korah permeates many church members today who would not allow themselves to be under the authority of godly pastors (Heb 13:17). Unless people would repent and humbly submit to the final authority of God’s word (Ps 119:160), they “shall all likewise perish” (Lk 13:3)! God bless you!

- Pastor Melito Barrera