Attitudes of The Ungodly in the Church

Jude 1:8-11

Today there are a lot of people claiming to be Christians who participate in Gay Rights activities to show their tolerance, viewing those who oppose such activities as being unchristian. After all, God said we’re not to judge, and he loves Gays too. They have either not read or ignored Genesis 19, Jude 1:7, and many other passages. Lest there be any doubt about what God thinks of homosexuality, Leviticus 20:13 is very clear. “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” Literally they are responsible for their own deaths because of their actions.

Many of these who claim to be Christians will admit that they know the Bible forbid it, but after all, we’re supposed to love people if we’re Christians, and it’s not really their fault after all, God made them that way and they can’t help it. This same idea is used to justify many other kinds of sin as well, because God just didn’t understand what we know today. They imagine that God will overlook the sin as a result.

“Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.” (Jude 1:8)

These unsaved people in the church engage in activities clearly forbidden by God. Many drink, are addicted to drugs, engage in extramarital affairs or indulge in pornography. Several serial murderers have been considered good Christians by their fellow church members, and many of the Ku Klux Klan members were active in churches.

They become especially upset at the idea that what they are doing is wrong, and often attack those who oppose them. Their opponents are depicted as evil, sometimes accused of doing the same thing, set up to appear to be doing wrong, or filing lawsuits and accusing of hate crimes. Vandalism and physical violence are sometimes used, because they do not want any restrictions on their behavior. Even Jesus is accused of improper relationships with Mary Magdalene, and Judas is typical of these unbelievers in his betrayal because of unbelief.

“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” (Jude 1:9)

These ungodly people do not hesitate to bring such false charges against those who oppose them, yet the highest angel didn’t dare make such ringing charges against even the devil himself. As II Peter 2:10-12 says, these have no such hesitation. “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;”

Even though Michael knew how utterly wicked the Devil is, and Michael is so very powerful, he left the final judgment to God, yet these people are judging from their own ignorance, even ignoring their own natural animal instincts. For example, homosexual behavior is only found among animals forced into unnatural situations. In the book Animals In Translation, Dr. Temple Grandin describes several instances of wrong behavior by animals which disappears when natural conditions are restored. Humans, on the other hand, can consciously choose to go against their innate standards, deliberately and voluntarily doing what they know is wrong.

“But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” (Jude 1:10-11)

Cain was angry that his brother was rewarded for dong what was right and he didn’t get a reward for doing what he wanted to do so he killed him rather than doing what he was told. Some of these wicked men are the same way, trying to destroy those who do right, rather than doing it themselves. They are like the delinquent who beats up the good kids at school.

Others are like Balaam, wanting to do what is right, but picking and choosing what of God’s commands will best accomplish their purpose and ignoring the rest, assuming it won’t really matter. Still others want to make their own rules, like Korah, in Numbers 16. He decided to set himself up as the priest because it wasn’t fair that God had only chosen Aaron. In his opinion, Aaron was just promoting himself.