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THE CHARACTER OF APOSTASY (II)
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
Jude 8
Psalm 31:5-6
 
“I have hated them that regard
lying vanities …”
 
THE CHARACTER OF APOSTASY (II)
 
Jude begins his litany of characteristics by describing the apostates as “filthy dreamers” (Jude 8). They are dreamers, because there is really no truth to what they say. Now dreams often have a certain allure; we think of them sometimes with fondness, and we are familiar with the idea of daydreaming or fantasising about the things we desire. Nevertheless, we must all acknowledge the danger of failing to distinguish between dream and reality. The one who dreams he can fly, and believes it, is in great danger.
 
This is the danger of the “dreams” promoted by these false teachers. On the one hand they are cleverly-crafted fictions, designed to appeal to man’s sinful nature. On the other hand those who believe in these dreams, and live according to them, are led to ruin by them. Such is the “dream” that God’s grace can be exploited as an excuse for lawlessness and carnal indulgence. Such is the “dream” that we can claim Christ for our Saviour, while we remain lord of our own lives. These are in fact “filthy” dreams, for they misrepresent God. They misrepresent His grace, by obscuring His holiness and justice; and they misrepresent His sovereignty, by exalting the idea of free will and autonomy.
 
The fact is that God is a God of truth (Deut 32:4), and so God’s people should be lovers of and seekers after truth. Lies are de facto defections from the divine nature, and therefore cannot be taken lightly, nor blithely overlooked; especially not when they are promoted in the guise of divine truth. Hence the strident call to arms with which Jude opens his epistle. O ye Christians, will you not rise to the defence of God’s truth? The so-called churches of Christendom have dreamers instead of leaders, and liars instead of pastors!
 
Dear reader, in our weakness we are prone to being led astray by such dreams that may seem attractive to us. We must guard our own minds, by taking heed to the biblical exhortation: “whatsoever things are true… think on these things” (Phil 4:8). And we must seek to help others from being led astray, by earnestly contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints.
 
THOUGHT: I must be careful not to believe in dreams or in lies.
PRAYER: O great Shepherd, use me in the defence of truth.
 
 

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