Waterless Clouds

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 3-4

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.  Jude 12-13 (ESV)

Hidden reefs, waterless clouds, fruitless trees, wandering stars—these descriptions reference false teachers. Their heresy threatened the churches. Jude used imagery to help readers visualize the hazard. Because clouds captivate me, I focused on waterless clouds and thirsted for more. 

While examining the letter of Jude in Scripture, I discovered Jude’s initial desire to write an inspirational letter to Jewish Christian churches about the common salvation of believers in Jesus Christ. Instead he changed course and confronted the threat of false teaching within those same churches by encouraging his readers to grow in their knowledge of Christian truth. Fast forward to today and his words still ring true. 

Along with several other New Testament writers, Jude addressed this heresy because it impacted the faith of believers. Followers of Jesus then and now must contend for the faith and resist false doctrine. Rather than conforming to this world, God appeals to His church to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ Jesus (Romans 12:1-2).

God’s Word even compels church leaders to live a higher standard (Titus 1:5-9). They are to follow Jesus’ example, demonstrating to church members how to live holy lives that please a holy God (Philippians 3:17-19). Yet some leaders who appear godly actually please themselves instead of pleasing God (1 Timothy 3:1-6). They practice immorality as Jude, Peter, and Paul describe in their letters to fellow believers. When leaders fall short, many of their followers do as well. 

Jude understood the deception behind false teaching and how it could lead people astray. In his epistle, he figuratively waves red flags of warning. Don’t be deceived by calm waters as hidden reefs or rock barriers could be present, creating danger to ships. Harvest time won’t produce fruit when trees are barren. The brief appearance of a wandering or shooting star provides little light. The lack of rain from waterless clouds hinders growth. Jude knew his readers needed the gift of living water from the Lord Jesus Christ (John 4:7-15) who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

In Jude’s day, the area teemed with thirsty souls as untrue teaching prevailed. The same is true today. People wander aimlessly in search of truth while being misled by waterless clouds, those false teachers who cultivate spiritually impoverished churchgoers. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah describes this age-old situation:

…for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
    the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
    broken cisterns that can hold no water.  Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV)

When a pastor and his congregants embrace the things of this world, seeking after society’s affirmation instead of adhering to God’s commands, they wander from God’s truth. They sympathize with a sinful culture and attempt to appease rather than speak truth in love. Addressing these issues, pastor, author, and professor Dr. Voddie T. Baucham, Jr. bluntly states, “You shave off the edges of the gospel to be liked by others.”

Attempting to make the gospel of Jesus Christ fit the standards of society pollutes the truth of God’s holy Word. The church then drifts with culture’s changing beliefs instead of firmly standing on the unchanging Word of God. “It’s the Word that creates the church, not the church that creates the Word,” said W. Robert Godfrey, chairman of Ligonier Ministries. 

Most people understand right and wrong, but the deceit of false teaching lies within its subtlety. A pleasant-sounding truth can be misleading. As Charles Spurgeon said, “Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.”

— Charles Spurgeon

So how does one know the difference between right and almost right? By focusing on truth, God’s Truth. Those who are trained to recognize counterfeit money study only genuine currency. Those who distinguish truth from fallacy study and believe the authoritative Word of God. 

In order to discern false teaching, Jude instructed his readers to grow in the knowledge of Christian truth through the trustworthy beliefs given by God to the church through the apostles. In other words, we must contend for the faith that was once delivered to those who would believe the word of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Therefore, as in Biblical times, heed the words of Jude. Increase your knowledge of Christian truth. Study daily the Word of God, rightly handling those words of truth, in order to show yourself approved (2 Timothy 2:15). Hold tight to the teachings of Jesus and contend for the faith. And God will keep you from stumbling as you stand firm on His inerrant Word.  

…for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.  Hebrews 5:13-14 (ESV)

Yeast of Corruption

““I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”
~JESUS 

John 6:35 (NASB)”

          Boil. Foam. Bubble. Words that fashion in my mind’s eye a cauldron of evil. On second thought, I see a substance activated by water and flour. Combined with a few more ingredients, the dough doubles in size after several hours. Once baked, it yields a delicious staple. Fresh baked bread gives way to a mouthwatering experience, aromatic and appetizing.

          Jesus and bread seemed to go hand in hand throughout His time on earth. The New Testament testifies to the many times He talked about bread. He miraculously provided bread for hungry crowds. He called Himself the Bread of Life. Surprisingly He even discussed the active ingredient in bread. However, when he mentioned yeast, it had nothing to do with bread. God’s Word in the eighth chapter of Mark conveys some crucial eye-opening knowledge applicable for readers still today. 

          The chapter opens with a mighty miracle where Jesus fed a large hungry crowd after praying over several loaves of bread and a few fish. It’s a second account of Him miraculously feeding a colossal crowd from a meager source. The throng of people certainly enjoyed plenty of food as there were baskets overflowing with leftovers. Imagine witnessing such a phenomena. Think about how swiftly the news must have spread among the people. 

          Eventually reports of the supernatural event reached some Jewish leaders called Pharisees. Once they discovered Jesus’ location, they began questioning and testing Him. They demanded proof of His divine authority by requesting signs from heaven. They dismissed the power behind His miracles by challenging Jesus for more evidence. Because He recognized their unbelief, Jesus refused to grant them any information concerning His identity. He walked away from them and joined His disciples in a boat.

          As they sailed across the Sea of Galilee, Jesus warned His disciples of the yeast of the Pharisees. Yeast? The disciples assumed Jesus referred to the lack of bread for their trip as only one loaf had been stored in the boat. Could there be more to yeast than a loaf of bread?

          “Why are you talking about bread?” Jesus asked. “Do you not understand? Do your eyes fail to see and your ears fail to hear? Remember the two miracles? How many baskets of leftovers did you pick up?”

          The disciples answered respectively, twelve and seven, but Jesus knew they failed to comprehend the meaning. They only grasped the concept of yeast in the physical sense. They were spiritually blind to the evil brew of the Pharisees and other leaders (Mark 8:14-21).

          The disciples recognized yeast as a fermenting agent used to make bread. Jesus equated yeast to an attitude of corruption. Think of the cauldron of evil—boil and bubble. The Pharisees had perverted their religion by making it exclusive to law keepers. As Jewish leaders, they had harnessed the people with many impossible rules to obey. By veiling the authenticity of Scripture, the religious elite had blinded the common folk to God’s truth. 

          Public opinion began changing when Jesus showed up, ministering to the masses and upsetting the methodical religion of the Jewish leaders. The crowds following Jesus increased and His divine authority exposed religious hypocrisy. The sanctimonious Pharisees seethed with anger and envy as their impact seemed to dwindle. Powerful leaders despise the freedom gained by people whose eyes have been opened to truth.

          Religion has burdened mankind with man-made rules for centuries. The law exposes sin and sometimes those in control dictate observance to laws through works, negating the work of Jesus on the cross. When the doctrines of denominations supersede faith in a self-sacrificing Savior, we become divided. Adding man’s way to God’s way is like adding water to yeast and watching the cauldron of corruption boil over into trouble. Eventually our fallen nature clouds our vision. Recognizing truth becomes nearly impossible.

“When the doctrines of denominations supersede faith in a self-sacrificing Savior, we become divided.”

          During the 60’s and 70’s, some American pastors preached fire and brimstone, the wrath of God against sinful souls. People left church services feeling shame and defeat. Surely good works would pave the way to heaven instead of hell. Eyes became veiled to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

          As a new generation grew into influence, various church services, along with the sermons, were redesigned to focus on grace, the cheap grace that minimizes sin. Comfortable with coffee described a regular Sunday at church. Again eyes became veiled to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

          Jesus the Messiah came to earth to demonstrate a holy life to His disciples and followers. Through His Word, He shows us all a better way of life, offering grace and mercy to repentant people. The truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is for every single person who will believe in Him. He died an excruciating death, taking upon Himself the sins of the world while offering His righteousness to humankind. It’s a beautiful exchange that requires humble recognition and repentance of our own sinfulness. It is the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

          Jesus the Savior is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). He wants us to know His gospel and its liberating truth. He yearns to deliver us from the yeast of corruption that infiltrates the church and the world. He longs to rescue us from wickedness and free us from sin’s bondage. He desires for us to focus on Him, living as He lived, loving as He loved. 

          But what are we to do when we don’t know what is true? It seems the yeast of the Pharisees has spread throughout the ages. The cauldron of evil appears to have boiled over into our modern world. Have we been blinded to truth? Is it even possible to see clearly through the haze of confusion? How can we use discernment and make truth visible?

          Turn away from the yeast of corruption. Change your focus from man’s way to God’s way. And return next week to see more of God’s truth revealed. 

Before you go, share with me in the comment section below some of the ways God is revealing His truth to you.