Jude

Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, writes a letter encouraging his readers to earnestly contend for their faith.  He reminds them that even those whom God has delivered from great bondage (for example, Israel from Egypt) are held accountable when they fall into sin and disobedience.  Jude is concerned because teachers have gained access to the believers and are spreading lies concerning Jesus and the glory of salvation.  Their motivation is not growth of the believer but growth of their own personality and portfolio.  They are described as rain clouds without rain, fruit trees without fruit and shooting stars - full of promise but woefully lacking in substance.  Those who follow Jesus are to remember that He spoke about this happening, and to lovingly remain anchored to the Truth of the gospel - the good news that Jesus, born of a Virgin according to the prophecy of God, lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary death in fulfillment of God's promise;  He proved Himself to be the promised Son of God and Messiah by rising from the dead three days later and now offers full forgiveness to those who will trust that He alone has accomplished what they could never accomplish on their own:  full reconciliation to God.