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THE CHARACTER OF APOSTASY (X)
LORD’S DAY, APRIL 19
Jude 13
Matthew 7:21-27
 
“Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom …”
 
THE CHARACTER OF APOSTASY (X)
 
Waves. Anyone who has stood on the beach on a windy day will have seen the waves surging against the shore. The sea is full of ceaseless activity, the waves are constantly in motion. The picture here is that of “raging waves” (Jude 13) that are particularly loud and boisterous. This is an excellent description of some of the false teachers operating today. One cannot help but picture the familiar modern scene of an expensively-dressed televangelist prancing and raving his way across a spotlighted stage before an audience of thousands, or ten thousands.
 
They rage indeed, these waves, and yet all their foaming and frothing is in the end only to their own shame. Hear what the Lord Jesus said of them: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt 7:22-23).
 
Wandering stars. In the past, especially, stars were far more than just pretty lights in the sky. Their position and course across the heavens were predictable, and they were therefore very useful for navigation. Not so for these “wandering stars” (Jude 13) as Jude describes them. They may appear luminous, but it is dangerous to follow them. They chart no fixed course. As they wander in darkness now, so they will wander for eternity. Their place is reserved in “outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt 8:12).
 
We see in these five pictures, then, the danger of apostasy: both to the apostates themselves, and to those led astray by them. They may be found within the church, yet are not truly of the people of God; they appear luminous and loud, but their teaching is destitute of spiritual substance; having no life, and having forsaken the only true Source of life, they can lead others only to death, to the very shame and darkness which they do now and will forever occupy. From these lies only “the faith… once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) can set us free.
 
THOUGHT: Complacency can be as deadly as apostasy.
PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for Thy perfect Word. Help me to study it!

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