Ungodly church goers

Do you find this as shocking as I do? That it is possible for ungodly persons to infiltrate a church group unnoticed – they behave like sincere believers and yet are far from being what they profess to be.

Jude had the intention to write this letter to believers about the fact that all of us have to follow the same way to reach our salvation. However, this issue of hidden imposters among the flock became a matter that he had to address urgently.

He gives a few clues by which we can identify them. They pervert the grace of God into lawlessness, and then into immorality. This can happen so easily, for instance when we hear someone say, “It is OK to do this, because God’s grace means He will forgive you.” Or they hold the belief that if it feels good, it is permissible. There is also an element of “everybody does it, so it seems to be acceptable”. I have heard about a pastor who tells his congregation that they can receive the mark of the beast during the Tribulation, because God’s grace will cover them (when the Bible explicitly says that those people will be thrown into hell Rev 14:9-10). We regularly see Christian young men and women living together because they see it as acceptable behaviour in their churches, while the Bible teaches purity before marriage throughout all its pages.

They deny the deity of Jesus, teaching that He was but a man here on earth, that He married and had children, and died an ordinary death. And slowly these doctrines, coming from seemingly learned and knowledgeable Christians, get a foothold among the congregation and erode their core belief.

Jude goes on to explain that they not only corrupt the body through perverse sexual practices, but they also scorn and reject all authority – not only the authority of God and His word, but also of church leaders, and governmental rulers. These evil men and seducers are angry at everything that happens and never pleased with their own state and condition. Their will and their fancy are their only rule and law. They complain and grumble about everything, their talk is boastful and arrogant, they pay flattering compliments to gain advantage. They live devoid of the Holy Spirit.

Pearls to ponder:

Now that you know what to look for, do you recognize people in your congregation that exhibit these behaviours? What about you, personally? Jude has answers as to what to do about this situation – read verses 20-25. It begins with turning inward and building up your own faith. And then rely on God’s discernment as to whether you have to confront and rebuke; or whether you must comfort those who waver and doubt. Loving the person but hating the sin should always be our motivation.