The Danger of Apostates
Jude 3-4
Solomon’s warning: Buy truth, and do not sell it (Proverbs 23:23a) points to the fact that the truth is an extremely valuable commodity in the Bible. After all, ADONAI is the God of truth (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16), having magnified His Word, which is truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). The Lord Yeshua Messiah, God in human flesh is full of grace and truth (John 1:14), being Himself the way, and the truth and the life (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 14:17), sealing salvation of those who embrace the word of truth (Ephesians 1:13). And the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth (First Timothy 3:15), protecting and proclaiming the truth of the Gospel (Colossians 1:5). Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
Although God’s people sometimes forget the importance of the truth, the Adversary never does. Ever since the Fall, the father of lies (John 8:44) has done everything possible to destroy, hide and distort the truth. He constantly attempts to replace the truth with deceit and deception. It seems odd, but his deadliest attacks do not come from the apostates, they come from those who profess to know the truth – but lie. The devil’s most effective agents, like spiritual terrorists, secretly infiltrate the church or messianic synagogue, where they pass themselves off as genuine shepherds, leaders or teachers. But if the truth were known, they would be exposed as imposters who claim to know Christ, but in fact reject Him. Such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ (Second Corinthians 11:13 NASB). They are men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth (First Timothy 6:5), and must be forcefully opposed and rooted out, lest they entice unstable souls and lead them to ruin (Second Peter 2:14).14
The B’rit Chadashah continually warns of the danger that apostate false teachers pose to the congregations of God. Both Jesus (Matthew 7:15) and Rabbi Sha’ul (Acts 20:29) likened their savage attacks to those of vicious wolves. Many false prophets will appear, Yeshua warned, and will deceive many people (Matthew 24:11). Sha’ul also cautioned Timothy, “The Spirit expressly states that in the acharit-hayamin, or the later times, some people will apostatize from the faith by praying to deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (First Timothy 4:1 CJB). Both Peter and John warned against these wolves in sheep’s clothing (Second Peter 2-3; First John 4:1-3; Second John 7), as did Jude.
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