KEEP THE FAITH!

 JUDAS 1:1-25

Salutation

1 I, Judas, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, write this letter to those who have been called, that is, those whom God the Father loves and whom Jesus Christ protects.

2 May you have more and more of God's mercy, peace, and love!

the false teachers

2Peter 2.1-22

3 My dear friends, I was doing everything possible to write to you about the salvation we have in common. So I felt it was necessary to write now to encourage them to fight for the faith that, once and for all, God has given to his people. 4 For some men who do not fear God have entered among our people unnoticed. They twist the message about the grace of our God in order to make an excuse for their immoral life. And they also reject Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. The Holy Scriptures long ago announced the condemnation they have already received.

5 Although you know all this, I want to remember that the Lord saved the people of Israel, bringing them out of the land of Egypt, but then He destroyed those who did not believe. 6 Remember the angels who did not stay within the limits of their own authority but left the place where they lived. They're bound with eternal chains, down there in the darkness, where God is keeping them for that great day when they'll be damned. 7 Remember the inhabitants of Sodom, Gomorrah, and the surrounding towns who acted like those angels and committed immorality and sexual sin. They suffered the punishment of eternal fire, which is a clear warning to everyone.

8 Likewise these men have visions that cause them to sin against their own bodies. They despise God's authority and insult the glorious heavenly beings. 9 Not even the archangel Michael did this. In the discussion he had with the Devil, to decide who would keep Moses' body, Michael did not dare condemn the Devil with insults, but just said: "May the Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these men curse what they do not understand. And the things they instinctively know, like wild animals, are the ones that destroy them. 11 Woe to them! They follow the same path as Cain. Because of money, they indulge in the same error as Balaam. And as Korah rebelled and was destroyed, they also rebel and will be destroyed. 12 With their shameful drinking, they are like dirt stains on the friendship meals you eat. They only take care of themselves. They are like clouds blown by the wind, which bring no rain; they are like trees which, even in autumn, bear no fruit; they are like trees that have been uprooted and are completely dead. 13 They are like the wild waves of the sea, throwing up the foam of their shameful actions; they are like aimless stars, for which God has forever reserved a place in the deepest darkness.

14 It was Enoch, of the seventh generation from Adam, who long ago prophesied this of them: “Look! The Lord will come with many thousands of his angels 15 to judge everyone. He will come in order to condemn all who do not care about God, because of all the evil deeds they have done and because of all the terrible words that these unbelieving sinners have spoken against God!”

16 These men are always grumbling and accusing others. They follow their own evil desires, bragging, and flatter others because they are self-serving.

Warnings and Advice

17 But you, my friends, remember what was prophesied by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, "When the end times come, people will appear who will make fun of you, people who don't care about God and follow their own desires." 19 It is these people who cause divisions, because they are dominated by their natural desires and do not have the Spirit of God. 20 But you, my friends, continue to progress in your faith, which is the holiest faith there is. Pray guided by the Holy Spirit. 21 And continue to live in the love of God, hoping that our Lord Jesus Christ, in his mercy, will give you eternal life.

22 Have mercy on those who have doubts; 23save others by bringing them out of the fire; and to others show mercy in fear, hating even their clothes, stained by their sinful desires.

prayer of praise

24 God can keep you from falling and can present you flawless and joyful in his glorious presence. 25 Through Jesus Christ our Lord, let us praise the only God, our Savior, to whom belong glory, greatness, power, and authority, from all times, now, and forever! Amen!

Please share with everyone you know. Thanks.