Our teacher Jude has been giving us a lot to think about when it comes to those who are apostate or deserters of the faith in Jesus Christ. He has given three examples of those who fell away from God in the past – the unbelieving delivered children of Israel, angels who kept not their first estate, and Sodom and Gomorrah who gravitated toward sin. Today Jude shares with us about the character of those apostate teachers of whom he is directly corresponding. He wrote in verse eight:
Likewise also these [filthy] dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
Jude begins by saying “likewise” or in the same manner. These apostate teachers of whom Jude is warning are just like the three examples given by him. He calls them “filthy dreamers” and the original language suggest that these are divinely suggested dreams filled with sensual images that leads them to an impious course of behavior – they “defile the flesh”. They stain, contaminate, pollute and soil themselves with fleshly desires, and their bent is toward the flesh rather than toward the things of God.
Next these apostate individuals “despise dominion”. In other words they reject and refuse authority, power or lordship. They run their own lives, and no one has dominion over them. Rejection of authority is their nature, and those who rule in power and authority mean nothing to them.
Finally these apostate teachers “speak evil of dignities.” Not only do they possess a spirit of rebellion, but they also believe themselves to be in positions where they easily criticize those who are in authority. The Bible is very clear about the origin of power and authority. Paul the apostle wrote in the book of Romans:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:1-2
And Jesus answered Pontius Pilate as recorded in the gospel of John:
Jesus answered, You could have no power [at all] against me, except it were given to you from above: therefore he that delivered me unto you has the greater sin. John 19:11
Even though the Bible makes it clear from where power and authority come, these apostate teachers believe themselves to be above the One who ultimately elects all who are in power.
So, what about us? Are our lives aligned with those who live as these apostate ones about whom Jude warns? Do we live in a manner that defiles the flesh, despises dominion or speaks evil of dignities? We would all do well to use these traits of those filthy dreaming apostates to examine our own lives, and the results we find may be leading or misleading others in their relationship with Jesus Christ. May God's grace and mercy rest upon us all.
Next time we shall see what Michael the archangel did that is very much unlike these apostate revelers, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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