Believers Must Search the Scriptures

In today's passage Jude writes to faithful believers, reminding them not to forget the truth they already know and to judge carefully. Through three events, Israel's exodus from Egypt, the judgment of the fallen angels, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the passage clearly shows what befell those who disobeyed God. In particular, it highlights the foolishness of the people who, having come out of Egypt, forgot their slavery there, grumbled against God and Moses, and tried to go back, and it warns how deadly a heart that forgets grace and is not thankful can be.

The passage points out that true faith is not simply knowing things but living out the Word. If believers give in to the world's temptations or fears and cannot let go of human righteousness, they lose the opportunity to show the light of Christ to people in darkness. It also reminds us that refusing a pastor's counsel or a brother's correction, and even resenting it, can be an expression of pride that sets itself against God. When we know the truth but do not obey it, we are easily deceived by the false gospel that heretics preach, and that is the road to a heavier rebuke.

We must look back at whether we are living lives that never forget God's grace, moment by moment, but give thanks and obey. In a life where suffering and ease keep alternating, we must become believers who are not swayed by feelings but persevere to the end and are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Today we need to think deeply about what decisions we must make to live according to God's will as we search the Scriptures, and what attitude we should bring to that process.