Peace from God doesn’t mean loss of conflict. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, and Jude verbally offered peace when he wrote, Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you. (Jude, v. 2 NKJV) Jude also supported conflict when he wrote, contend earnestly for the faith. . . . (v. 31)
Jude instructed the believers to contend because outsiders had come to the congregation with heretical doctrine. Without making their intent known or immediately apparent, men were gradually introducing doctrines that said it was okay to turn the grace of our God into licentiousness. . . . (v. 4)
The teaching must be resisted, but the people didn’t need to lose their peace while they stood for truth. Their peace rested upon their inner relationship with God—not upon circumstances—or even on the presence of ungodly men teaching ungodly doctrines. They could have peace amidst strife because they trusted God.
Originally published June 23, 1980.
Picture: Red River of the North, 2009. Photo by Cindy.
Jude instructed the believers to contend because outsiders had come to the congregation with heretical doctrine. Without making their intent known or immediately apparent, men were gradually introducing doctrines that said it was okay to turn the grace of our God into licentiousness. . . . (v. 4)
The teaching must be resisted, but the people didn’t need to lose their peace while they stood for truth. Their peace rested upon their inner relationship with God—not upon circumstances—or even on the presence of ungodly men teaching ungodly doctrines. They could have peace amidst strife because they trusted God.
Originally published June 23, 1980.
Picture: Red River of the North, 2009. Photo by Cindy.
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