WINNING THE LOST, THE BOOK OF JUDE, AND THE ACTS OF THE APOSTATES

Winning the Lost, the Book of Jude, and the Acts of the Apostates

Larry Grecu

Baker, Florida

August 10, 2015

In a recent blog post, I shared what the Lord had spoken to me regarding the book of Jude, while our family was on our 2015 beach trip. If you have already forgotten what the Lord spoke to me, I would suggest that you go to the blog and read what was said.

Jude is the last book in the Bible before the Revelation and serves as a short, but important, epistle which contains specific instructions for the last days Christians. In my blog post, I encouraged everyone to buy a commentary that I have had for years entitled, Jude, the Acts of the Apostates, by S. Maxwell Coder.

If you have purchased the book, I want to refer you to a chapter that I think is going to become one of the most important chapters of Christian instruction for your life. This applies especially if you are a fervent soul winner or someone concerned for the lost, as all of us should be. The chapter is "Winning the Lost," found close to the end of Mr. Coder's book.

Many of us have had the concept that all people we witness to are alike and that all we have to do to win them to the Lord is to tell them the Gospel. However, it does not take long for one to discover that not all people are alike. Some people are so deceived that they need a rebuke before they can hear the truth. Others are so filled with doubt that they need a word of encouragement. And lastly, some are so ensnared in sin, that they become a temptation to those witnessing to them, those who have clean escaped sin.

The book of Jude, in two short verses, cautions the last days believers in the "how to" and the "what to watch for" of sharing the gospel. You will find these instructions to the wise in verses 22-23: "And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and some save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."

These two verses are carefully and skillfully explained by Mr. Coder in the chapter, "Winning the Lost." In this chapter, he breaks down each of these types of witnessing situations and draws from other Scriptures many related examples. He also shows why we need godly instruction. Without this, Satan can easily deceive those who have a zeal to see the lost saved, but lack the fear of God. In these last days, we must have the wisdom of God now more than ever before.

We must never think of ourselves as ones who are above being taken down by the evil one. Even now, we are seeing those who have led congregations, great and small, ensnared by Satan's lies. What these leaders were preaching as sin before has now become tolerated and/or outright acceptable behavior. As a result, they are taking themselves and their congregations straight to hell.

This is no time to fall back asleep. We must stay awake; we must stay alert. We must arm ourselves with the truth. The book of Jude and S. Maxwell Coder's book, Jude, the Acts of the Apostates, are timely alarms and helps for all last days Christians. Take the time today to read and meditate on these words of sound wisdom. You will save both yourself and those who are willing to listen to you.