The Final Praise of God

Introduction:

Jude has admonished his readers to “earnestly contend for the faith.”

He has assured them of the future judgment of the false teachers.

He has demonstrated the source of their errors and their motivations for disobedience.

He has reminded them of their responsibility to remain faithful, pure, and expectant.

At issue throughout the letter has been the rejection of Christ’s authority by the false teachers.

Genuine believers see themselves as slaves of Christ.

They recognize his authority.

They purify themselves and demonstrate his characteristics.

Jude will now finish the letter at the only logical place: praising the person of God.

In doing so, he will also offer them assurances about why they should fulfill their responsibility to their Lord.

God does not ask us to obey him blindly. Instead, He has explained himself.

Knowledge of his person gives us confidence to obey.

Praise of God in Light of His Trustworthiness:

The issue here is not our potential to be misled.

Instead, it is an assurance that God is not able to mislead us. (consider James 1). Hence, he protects us in the truth.

Jude closes his letter in Pauline fashion with a doxology.

God and his power are under consideration.

Eph. 3:20

Ro. 16:25

But, while he waxes into praise of God, he also assures his audience of two realities about God.

Those realities offer comfort and strength to them as they undertake the responsibility to remain in the faith.

Why shouldn’t his audience “dabble” in the teachings of the false teachers? Why should they not experiment around with other ideas?

God, and God alone, is able to guard them or protect them as “unfallen ones.” No harm or damage will come from obeying God because He does not lead into error.

At a minimum this suggests a way of purity.

That way of purity comes from God.

Psalm 119:9

Psalm 1

John 17…sanctify them through your word, your word is truth.

If we are able to consider the judgment of God as the most important test we will ever face, then this statement carries great weight. For remaining obedient to him is of the utmost importance. Testing other doctrines, other ways of living, other ideas will only cause us to go into error. God will not. Indeed, he is our protector in what is right.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 88.292 ἄπταιστος, ον

88.292 ἄπταιστος, ον: pertaining to not having failed to keep the law (of God)—‘free from stumbling, free from sinning.’

Praise of God in Light of His Permanent Salvation

Many, perhaps, struggle to find value for God or even a place for him in their lives.

This could be a by-product of wealth.

Notice the phrase, “to stand as blameless in front of his glory.”

Exodus 33

John 1

Eph. 1:4

1 John 3 - We shall see him as he is.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 88.34 ἄμωμος, ον

pertaining to being without fault and hence morally blameless—‘blameless, without fault, faultless, perfect.

3. It is God’s power that will cause us to stand blameless in front of his glory, not our efforts.

4. We will stand before him not in fear but in rejoicing/joy.

Praise of God for What He Deserves and Will Attain

Jude closes with a statement of four things that belong to God.

Glory

Greatness of importance

Power

Authority

They belong to him now. He will certainly receive these from men forever.