So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later He destroyed those who did not remain faithful.
(Jude 1:5 NLT)
There was an evangelist who would visit the church I grew up in who sang and played the guitar. I don’t recall anything else he said but this one thing stuck with me. He would pick up his guitar and as he started to tune it would say, “I don’t believe once in tune always in tune.” Truer words have not been spoken! I still see him on Facebook from time to time, though I’m not sure that is what he would want to be remembered by I believe those words were branded on my soul for a reason.
In my journey with the Lord there have been both times of intimacy and solitude, times of knowing Him and hearing His voice and times of wondering where He was, even if God existed (very early as a new believer). Very few times I feel as if I was being tested to see if I would grow in my faith or turn away but more frequently and later in my walk with the Lord it has been because of disobedience i.e. hearing the leading of the Holy Spirit and not following. It was in those times that I knew if I continued I would in affect walk out on God, closing the door behind me. Yes, I have had many opportunities to walk away and if it were not for the Holy Spirit lighting my path I have no doubt I would have wondered into outer darkness, alone and scared but perfect love cast out all fear.
Not all put their trust in the Lord and many do fall away. Does that mean they were never saved? To be honest I’m not sure I can only tell you of my own experiences and I know at age nine I met the Lord and asked Him into my life and by faith I know He accepted me. I also know there have been many forks in the road and by faith God has led me to this place I am now. However, at any time I could have went my own way and refused to listen to His leading and at that moment I would have backslide and been lost. So it stands to reason people can know God, have relationship with Him as His child, and then for whatever reason turn from God. If we look at the nation of Israel, God’s chosen race, we see how sin and rebellion takes people to a place that shuts the door to God’s grace. It wasn’t God giving up on them it was a people who ran from God as if to lock themselves in a room apart from God and as a result His grace no longer covered them.
But these people scoff at things they do not understand. Like unthinking animals, they do whatever their instincts tell them, and so they bring about their own destruction.
(Jude 1:10 NLT)
In many ways America is like Israel, we have been blessed by God and we have seen Him do many miraculous things through us and for us still there is a worm in the apple so to speak and if we are not careful the whole apple will turn rotten. One day America will go so far, as Israel did, to lock ourselves away from God’s grace and the result will bring a darkness that cannot be easily escaped. Read what Enoch prophesied and see if it does sound familiar.
Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, "Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of His holy ones to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want.
(Jude 1:14-16 NLT)
But there is a remnant that will remain faithful and to guard against this coming darkness we must know God, recognize His voice, and humbly love and obey. It will be these who can depend upon the mercy of our Heavenly Father to sustain us through whatever storm comes our way so that on the Day of Judgment we may be counted as His. Know that this grace isn’t just for us but God intended it for all and as His ambassadors it is our mission, our purpose to love others with God’s love so they may know Him as well. We are not saved from wrath solely for the purpose of inching our way into heaven but to victoriously bring others with us.
But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
(Jude 1:20-23 NLT)
