What Leads You?: Day 5
“But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion……… 16These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” - Jude 1:9-16
Jude continues his thoughts on the judgment of God concerning sinfulness as he talks about the same people who have “crept in unnoticed” to “pervert the grace of our God into sensuality.” He paints a serious picture of their wickedness, comparing them to unreasoning animals, Cain, and Balaam, and connects them to Korah’s rebellion. Verses 12 through 15 continue with an extended poetic emphasis on their wickedness. Cain was considered the archetypal sinner, Balaam abused prophetic gifts for selfish gain, and Korah’s rebellion led 250 men against Moses and Aaron (see Numbers 16). What do all of these examples have in common? These people, as Jude summarizes in verse 16, “follow their own sinful desires.” This is not taken lightly, nor is it spoken of in such a way to dismiss its severity.
In the prior verse, Jude says these people “rely on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious one.” Showing us the most important aspect of our life is what we let lead our life. In this case, these men are led by their selfish desires and sin. In Christ, we are called to submit, be transformed, and walk in a manner worthy of the calling given to us. Who or what are you letting lead your life? Is sin and selfishness the leading decision maker in your life? Or, as Paul writes in Romans 8:13, have you put to death the desires of the flesh and given way to the Spirit of God? We were created to follow and it’s in human nature that we will ultimately submit to something. Either we will live submitted to the will of God or the selfish desires that lead us to sin. A life submitted to the Lord and his way is what we are created for. It is where we feel the most fulfilled, the most purpose, and peace. Yet, due to sin, we are prone to wander and be led astray by selfishness.
It is a daily battle we will fight. The secret to winning this battle is not found in our efforts but in our submission to Christ. Taking ourselves off the throne and allowing Christ to take his rightful place as Lord of our lives. When our desires wage war within us, we submit to Christ and let him lead our lives instead. We will never win the battle against our sin, this is why Christ had to come. This is why we submit to Christ’s lordship. Don’t be like the examples given by Jude, don’t fall prey to your selfishness and sinful desires, instead turn your eyes upon Jesus. In the sweetness of his grace, we find the strength to live each and every day for his glory.
Takeaway: We must submit daily to Christ and let his Lordship lead our lives.
