Next, Jude puts into context the problem with what the false teachers are promoting. Jude connects with the hearers of his words by recalling what has occurred through history with those who do not fully follow God. Jude demonstrates that the reality is much more than an individual person or sin, but has historical, spiritual and eternal significance;
*5*Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. *6*And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— *7*just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
Jude 5–7.
Firstly, Jude calls to remembrance the fact that Jesus has always existed. We know that the physical incarnation of Jesus was not around when the Israelites escaped Egypt, but he was with his Father in heaven. He was seated with God when it all occurred and had a hand in their deliverance, and the destruction of those who did not believe. The generation that left Egypt were not the ones that entered the promised land (apart from 2) because they were not obedient and did not trust God in what He said He could do. Jude is drawing this parallel to the situation that the current believers are facing. Believers in Jesus have left their ‘Egypt’ - symbolically their old lives and slavery to sin - so why try to carry it into the future?
Sin and sensuality cannot be permitted. This is what Jude is reminding his readers here. Once you have faith in God and understood who Jesus is, you cannot keep looking back or carrying habits/sins of the past because they are not part of your new life. The persons that follows Jesus is the person has left Egypt, and is now on the way to the promised land. Remember, only those who walked with genuine dedication and obedience to God (Joshua and Caleb) saw the fulfilment of God's promise. Just as the Israelites had to learn all those years ago, so the readers of this letter also need to learn; sin is not accepted in the kingdom of God, and it is not acceptable to live with it in our lives. Jude makes it clear that some ‘believers’ were destroyed before they could enter the promised land because of their lack of understanding of who God really is and who they were as a result. The same is true for us. You and I can be cut off from the people of God if we do not deal with the things that hold us back. If we are not serious about aligning our body, heart and minds to God's design, then we too will not enter into the promises God has for us.
If you are still not convinced, then consider what Jude says about the angels - if heavenly beings cannot escape condemnation and judgement, how can we? It is important that we as humans recognise our, ‘own position of authority’ just as the angels needs to. We do have authority, but this position has limitations and boundaries just like the angels. God has made clear the expectations He desires us to live by, not because He is a tyrant or dictator, but because He is a loving Father and knows what is best for us. Being fooled into believing that living a life that enjoys and endorses sin and sensuality is ok is living outside of God’s will, and will do you harm. God wants to save you from that, this is why Jude is writing explaining about the reality of what will happen if those who have got it wrong do not change their ways. Just as the disobedient angels were removed from God's presence, and the original Israelites did not enter into the promised land, so all sin needs to be eradicated. The good news for us is that is why Jesus died. Jesus died because he took on all the sin of the world; past, present and future, so that we can be free from the power of sin, guilt and shame and have a relationship with God and a hope for the promises of God fulfilled in our lives.
There follows a third example, just in case the message of abandoning God’s will, not trusting and dedicating your life to Him was not enough with the examples of the Israelites in Egypt and the fallen angels, we are now reminded of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two towns renowned for deplorable activities, for immorality, ‘unnatural desire’, these towns seem to epitomise sin in how they are portrayed. The lesson we can learn from these towns is that people who wantonly permit and promote sin are destined for destruction. Throughout the Bible it is clear that sin requires dealing with severely. It requires death. That is why in the Old Testament people made sacrifices to atone for their wrongdoings. Sin is such a big issue because it destroys our relationships. It severs the relationship we have with God and damages the relationships with those around us, let alone the relationship we have with ourselves. Sin is serious. It effects how we feel, how we see things, how we behave and how we relate to others and God, as well as our own sense of self-worth. Thankfully, Jesus has dealt with all sin. He has taken the punishment, the death required for every wrongdoing ever. Jesus has made it possible for us to be restored to God and others and even given us a chance for a new life ourselves.
Have you embraced this new life?
It is never too late to do so. Maybe today is a chance for you to put things right with you and God, you and others, and even you and yourself. You have the opportunity to be free from the guilt and shame of sin, to escape destruction and enter the promised land. Are you going to take it?
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