Author: James Cheef Wright

16. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

Born Into Blindness: The Human Condition Without God

Most Christians have the beliefs they do because they were exposed to church and/or the Bible as part of their upbringing. Parents or guardians taught them to pray with the familiar words “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” Many grew up going to church most Sundays, while others were limited to attending on holidays. And yet for others, it wasn’t church at all, they saw a Bible resting in their home everyday. Regardless of how, the understanding of God and Jesus was planted in their minds.

But what about the heart, why doesn’t childhood exposure alone make faith take root, and the scriptures come alive for everyone? Why do most of us drift from God and deeper into a life of sin that usually begins in our teenage years? Why do we lose sight of God but still claim to believe in Him?

The answer is found in Romans 5:19, which tells us, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners.” Even before being exposed to God, the sin nature was already in our blood. One reason Jesus was able to remain sinless is because He did not inherit the sin-tainted blood of Adam that would have passed through an earthly father like Joseph. His blood was pure — the blood of our Heavenly Father — which is why every believer in Christ Jesus is cleansed through His shed blood.

When the Heart Is Far From God

Because we are born rebellious toward God, we are born spiritually blind. Not until we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior can the Holy Spirit begin to lift the veil that separates us from God. Therefore, being taught to pray, going to church — no matter how often — or even seeing a Bible resting at home has little effect on building a relationship with God. In fact, merely professing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord and Savior has little effect when the heart remains distant. Jesus addressed this when He said in Matthew 15:8 “These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.” A distant heart is as useless to God as a Bible resting in the home that is rarely read.

Without engagement, the Word cannot take root in your heart. And without the Word being rooted in your heart, the Holy Spirit cannot begin the work of making you born again. Jesus was clear when He said “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). While spiritual blindness remains, it is impossible to be born again. Just as you cannot know the person who is behind a veil, neither does Jesus know you when you wear the veil of spiritual blindness.

Jesus recognizes those who belong to His Church Body — not necessarily those who simply attend a church building. His words in Matthew 7:23 are unmistakably clear: “Not everyone that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: but he that does the will of My Father which is in Heaven.” While Sunday fellowship is a good thing, it does not take the place of the temple you are as a child of God. Acts 7:48 teaches, “Howbeit, the Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands,” and 1 Corinthians 3:16 reminds us, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” These verses confirm that the will of God for your life is found within, not without — in the heart that invites His Spirit to dwell, not in the walls where people gather.

The Veil Begins to Lift: When the Word Takes Root

We are all born spiritually blind, yet possessing a spirit within that naturally runs counter to the flesh. In a way, natural maturity is meant to lead us toward spiritual maturity by contrasting the pain and suffering the world offers with the rest and peace described in the Word of God. When contrast becomes discernment, we know the Holy Spirit is bearing witness with our spirit — clearing the sin-obstacles that once separated us from God and drawing us closer to Him. Scriptures that once left you clueless to their modern relevancy now come alive, illustrated in every thought, decision, and outcome.

Spiritual Blindness in the Familiar Faces Around Us

Although we are born into sin, spiritual blindness is not something that fades with age. It is not something that is reserved for the most egregious sinners — murderers, thieves, the sexual immoral, or those addicted to drugs and alcohol. Career success can breed pride, and resentment can harden the heart, keeping a person rooted in spiritual blindness even in their elder years. It is a blindness that is also deafening, leaving the Holy Spirit unheard. These people may be those you know and love, some who have been in your life since childhood. They may have even raised you in the church. But as your relationship with God grows, you begin to accept an unsettling truth: spiritually, they are not as they appear on the surface, and what is deep inside them stirs your spirit in ways that feel like flesh crawling. This is not judgment — this is spiritual maturity leading you in a new direction.

The Holy Spirit Continues the Work of Illumination

The truth the Holy Spirit leads us into is often difficult to accept. This should not surprise us, because Scripture shows that Jesus was not only a miracle worker but a teacher who spoke with sharp clarity when protecting His flock. Whether it was calling out the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, acknowledging those who honored Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him, or teaching through parables that revealed the motives of the soul — Jesus confronted error to guard truth. It is the same with the Holy Spirit. He is a teacher, not just the One who regenerates. He uses the examples Jesus left us and exposes contrary traits in those around us to protect our walk with Him. This is why spiritual awakening — being born again — is essential to seeing the Kingdom of God. God will not be mocked, and He will not risk His Kingdom again to pride, resentment, or a heart that stands in opposition to Him.

Moving from spiritual blindness to spiritual clarity is part of the process of regeneration. It does not happen instantly, the way corrective lenses immediately sharpen poor vision. Instead, spiritual clarity grows as you begin to deny the flesh. Each time you deny the flesh, you see things the way God sees them, not the way the world presents them. Discernment sharpens because the Holy Spirit is able to separate the light from darkness, something impossible with a carnal mindset. Compassion no longer seems weak. Strength is found in humility. Anxiety gives way to understanding, and focus replaces distortion. The peace that only Jesus can give becomes a reality because the noise of the world is finally quieted.

When the world is quieted, your heart is far less likely to be troubled or afraid (John 14:27). Instead of asking what Jesus would do, you begin to understand through Scripture why Jesus had compassion for the less fortunate and righteous indignation toward the proud. When He felt overwhelmed, He turned to prayer, because He knew that prayer opens the pathway to enlightenment and understanding. Even Jesus leaned not on His own understanding in the flesh, but on that of Father God in Heaven by submitting fully to Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). Perhaps the deepest spiritual clarity comes when we as believers understand that Jesus in the flesh showed us that we are not of this world, and that our understanding of all things in the world must come from spiritual illumination — a heavenly work through which we have access to the Father through the Son.

Eyes Enlightened to His Marvelous Light

Ephesians 1:18

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
 

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

A Prayer for Spiritual Illumination

Father God in Heaven, by Your will I am in this world, but I am not of this world. Through prayer, I lean on You to give me clarity when the world distorts my understanding. By faith, I trust that Your Spirit will enlighten me to the lies of this world and reveal the truth of Your will for my life. The gift of Your grace brings me peace. You sanctified me so that I might have eternal life with You in Your heavenly realm. You redeemed me as a sinner through the blood of Your Son and lifted the veil that once blinded me. Now that I can see, I am forever thankful. In the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

6.  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

When God Hands the Flesh the Wheel

God’s judgments are consistently fair and just. Although we are not bound to the law as Israel once was, God still rewards those that follow His ways and allows consequences for those who refuse them. If you look closely, you will recognize the pattern: God hands people over to the desires of their flesh when they insist on remaining carnal. The habitually lazy He will not force into motivation, but He will promote the diligent. The heart set on lust and/or intoxication He will not restrain, but He richly rewards the sober mind that refuses to defile the body.

Yet God treasures the one who stumbles and then seeks Him to make their path straight. That person is not proud — they are the humble. And to the humble, He gives grace.

The Greek Opens What English Hides

Once again, to fully grasp the text we must not rely on English definitions alone. In English, the word grace carries many meanings, but even without knowing the Greek charis, we understand the biblical sense “God’s unmerited favor.” The word humble, however, is different. English definitions often include ideas like “to make meek,” yet the biblical meaning is far richer. The Greek word praus (meek) means God’s strength under His control — not the English notion of being overly submissive or compliant.

In James 4:6, the word humble is tapeinos, which means to depend on the Lord rather than self — God reliant instead of self-reliant. These two meanings are not found in the English translation, but they carry the full weight of the biblical text.

Humility in Action: Scripture Speaks

One of the foundational roots of Scripture is the call to lean on God rather than ourselves or the world. When we let the Word speak for itself, we begin to see what humility looks like in practice. The following verses reveal that humility is not weakness — it is trust, surrender, and dependence on the Lord for strength, guidance, and stability. This is the true essence of tapeinos, choosing God-reliance over self-reliance.

• Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.
• Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
• Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.
• Proverbs 3:5 Trust on the Lord and lean not on your own understanding.
• Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
• Matthew 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
• Philippians 4:13 All things I can do through Christ who strengthens me.

How Pride Blocks Grace

God’s call for His children to be humble is not a harsh command but a loving invitation that positions the heart to be receptive to Him. Pride, however, blocks grace — and when grace is blocked, faith cannot lead the child of God. The flesh is followed, and the subtle voice of the Holy Spirit grows quiet. The world becomes louder, dependence on God becomes faint, creating conditions that God will not force His way through. Instead, He allows the flesh to take the lead, because pride has chosen it.

How Humility Draws God Near

Humility, on the other hand, allows the free flow of grace and creates the very conditions that God draws near to. Where pride takes for granted, humility seeks His guidance. And when godly guidance is sought after, God responds with the same loving pursuit He showed Adam when He asked, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). It was not a question about physical location, but about the heart.

A humble and obedient heart is spiritually sensitive to the Holy Spirit and inviting to God — and this is the heart He gives grace to. Although He is all-powerful, God Himself expresses His humility toward mankind through the unconditional love He pours out on us — “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

The Reciprocity of Divine Love

God embraces our dependence on Him because it shows our love, desire, and trust in Him — the very same attributes He continually shows towards us. Real love is always reciprocating, and there is no reciprocating love like a godly love. It is a love rooted in humility yet carrying a power like no other — a power that overcomes the stressful distractions of the world and finds rest in the peace that only God can give, a peace that “surpasses all understanding” (John 14:27).

It is within this peace that God’s unmerited favor — His grace — flows freely to the believer that humbles their heart before Him.

The Strength of Humility vs. the Illusion of Pride

The world teaches that pride and arrogance are signs of strength, yet these traits are abrasive to both God and people. It also says that humility and meekness are signs of weakness. But Scripture — and life — reveal the opposite. These are the very attributes God draws near to, and the qualities people are naturally drawn toward. Godly strength, godly wisdom, peace in the midst of storms, and clarity in chaos can only be found in humility. The Holy Spirit speaks with a gentle voice, and His instructions cannot be heard when the spiritual ear is tuned to the noise of the world.

Grace Upon Grace

And we know this: the noise of the world blocks the grace of God. And to the humble, He not only gives grace — Scripture says, “He gives more grace.” More grace to stand firm in faith, more grace to see spiritually, more grace to overcome the world, and more grace to walk closely with Him. Amen.

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6. But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

While English translations of the Bible give us a general understanding of the messages written by men inspired by the Holy Spirit, often times, only when understanding the original Hebrew or Greek text do we gain the full weight of each message. Whether they be warnings, guidelines, or spiritual principles, understanding the gravity of each statement is what ultimately aligns our hearts with God. A perfect example of this is when it comes to the sin of pride.

On the surface, the words “God resists the proud” seem simple enough to fully understand the gravity of the text. Some Bible translations use the word opposes instead of resists. Either way, many believers reduce the meaning to “God doesn’t like pride.” Those words drastically oversimplify the message James is conveying. And oversimplifying what God means, far too often leads to underestimating the weight of a sin.

Let us start with resists/oppose. In English both words are used interchangeably and generally mean to act against, stand in the way of, or abstain from. Both words are a translation of the Greek word antitassó, and antitassó carries much more definitive weight than our English equivalents. It is obvious that James chose this word intentionally.

Antitassó is an ancient military word which has multiple layers of meaning. In once sense, it refers to placing a soldier in a specific rank or formation for a specific purpose — for example with orders to attack or to resist. In antiquity, the word was also used to describe the action of “intensely disagreeing” ( Strong’s 498).

This is where the true weight of James 4:6 becomes clear. God is not merely acting against, standing in the way of, or withstanding the prideful person. He does not simply “dislike” pride. God has set Himself in a battle formation to intensely disagree with the prideful. In other words, God is at war against the proud.

Now let’s take a look at what “the proud” actually means. Strong’s Greek Lexicon G5244 tells us the word in James 4:6 is hyperēphanos, and in one sense means showing oneself above others. This aligns with the standard English definition of pride — having a high opinion of of one’s own dignity, importance, or superiority. This is typically what English speakers think of when they hear the word proud/pride.

But hyperēphanos carries an even deeper, more dangerous meaning. In another sense, it means to despise or treat others with contempt. This is much closer to the Biblical meaning of pride — and the reason God hates it. This posture reflects the exact attitude Satan had when when he exalted himself above God. It is the very nature he used to influence Adam and Eve with when he said to Eve in Genesis 3:5 “you will be like God.” And it is also the attitude we see in many of the prideful today.

Pride may be an invisible sin, but is a sin nonetheless. It leads to entitlement and becomes the justification of other sins such as greed, covetousness, gluttony, and even anger. It disguises itself to the beholder as integrity and even moral strength — as if its own standards define what is godly. A prideful person may even have a good heart and show good intentions, yet remain completely unaware of the spiritual blindness pride creates. A blindness that blocks them from humility — the realization that they have become the center of their own universe — making them unable to see their true condition from God’s perspective. In its more severe state, the prideful replaces God’s will with one’s own will, and may even attribute that will to God Himself. This is the type of pride we see in King Saul.

Saul, the first king of Israel, is a perfect example of how a person can begin humble — even timid — and yet allow success to turn humble beginnings into a life shaped by pride. In 1 Samuel 15:17, Samuel reminds Saul of where he came from: “Is it not true, though you were insignificant in your own eyes, that you became the head of the tribes of Israel? For the LORD anointed you as king over Israel.” Saul is described as “a young and handsome man… taller than any of the people” (9:2). Yet when the time came for him to be presented as king, he could not be found. Scripture tells us he was hiding behind the Israelites baggage (1 Samuel 10:22).

But such shy humility would not last long before Saul embraced his kingship. As retribution for the repeated attacks by Amalek against the weak and vulnerable Israelites during the Exodus, God commanded Saul to “go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not” (1 Samuel 15:3). Instead, Saul spared Agag, the Amalekite king, and kept the best of the sheep, oxen, and lambs (15:9). Even though Saul claimed the soldiers had taken the animals to sacrifice to the Lord, his deflection was actually entitlement, making it a rebellious act against God’s command — the justification made no difference.

Verse 23 shows us how God feels about such pride when Samuel delivers the Lord’s judgment: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou has rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected you from being king.”

Although entitlement and living by his own rules were acts of pride, what Saul did next shows how pride completely disregards God. As if oblivious to God’s reason and judgment against him, Saul says “I have sinned: yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people… and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord your God.

Here we see that pride is concerned with appearance, not repentance. And worship that flows from pride is nothing more than vanity. It is so vain that Saul did not even say “the Lord my God.” To Samuel he said, “the Lord your God.” Saul’s pride was so spiritually blinding and self-centered that he was completely unaware that he was piling offense on top of offense toward God. This is an example of using God’s name in vain, because his worship of God was empty — mere actions meant to appease God, without any love for God.

We have all seen, at some points, the pride of Saul in ourselves, and possibly even someone we have known all or most of our lives. It is the moral superiority that uses God to justify a position, the kind that makes statements such as “God told me that you need to…” The Holy Spirit works directly in the life of a believer to correct and transform that believer. He does not use self-appointed go-between’s to conduct His work of regeneration. God does not judge the way we judge. But pride will speak for God not realizing how distant the heart is from God.

Pride can distort discernment and lead a person to speak in God’s name, while presenting themselves as if they carry His authority. This is a false narrative and a false authority — one that God ended with the prophets. Such pride only leads to loss. Approximately twenty-seven years passed between Saul’s acts of pride, and David becoming king, yet God’s judgment still came to fruition. Mistaking personal preference for God’s will, especially when it affects others or carries consequences, can ruin relationships and is deeply offensive to God. It leads to the same type of judgment we saw passed on Saul — even in our world today it may come in the form of loss of work or relationships, loss of influence within social circles, and most devastating, loss of intimacy with God.

The good news is that until God calls one of His children home, even harsh judgment is an opportunity to make a correction and walk through His open door that leads to the gift of grace. God gave entrance to the Ark for one hundred years before finally closing the door Himself. This means that even in our generation, the most prideful person has an entire lifetime to repent and come to God — though only God knows how long that lifetime will be. The opportunity remains to humble themselves before God and receive His gift of grace.

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Proverbs 28:13 "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy."

Ezekiel 18:38 "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!"

Zechariah 1:3 "Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty."

Matthew 9:13 "But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 1:15 "The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."
 

Repentance: Rarely Preached but Commanded By Jesus

Whether your are talking about purification, confession, conversion, forgiveness, or salvation, you are talking about repentance. The wisdom of Proverbs, the warnings of the prophets, the teachings of Jesus, and the epistles of the apostles all proclaim the same truth: repentance is essential in both the Old and New Testaments. One of the clearest warnings comes from Romans 2:5, “But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.”

Repentance is not often preached from the pulpit, and this is a fault of church leaders. Luke 24:47 says, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” But the preacher is not responsible for your salvation. Your relationship with God — and your understanding of His ways — depends on your knowledge of His Word. And as long as His Word declares that your heart must repent, God will not regard an unrepentant heart as holy, righteous, or having faith in Him. This is a serious matter every believer must examine for themselves.

What Repentance Is

Repent on its own can sound like a complicated doctrine, when in fact, in its most basic form it simply means to turn your heart from a sin-filled life to a righteous God-filled life. For example, the word translated as repent in Mark 1:15, in the original Greek is metanoeó. Metanoeó means to think differently after, or after a change of mind. But it is not as simple as merely saying with your mouth that you are changing your ways. Repentance is a deeply profound transformation that begins deep within your heart and manifests in your thoughts, actions, words, and deeds — because it is rooted in genuine regret for your sins against God.

Those who say “people don’t change”, yet claim to be God-fearing Christians, have not yet experienced true repentance. This is true because God has declared that all have sinned, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 teaches us that “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!.” So, if you have not repented, you cannot understand what happens when God changes the repentant heart that has given itself to Christ Jdesus. And most likely you will never see or believe that change in others.

So many aspects of a righteous walk with Christ and an intimate relationship with God depends on a heart that has repented. Leaving the past behind, moving from the natural to the spiritual, being born again, and recognizing that you are the Temple of God with His Spirit dwelling within — all of theses begin with a repentant heart.

As Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13, “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.“

Titus 3:3-5 reminds us of who we are before repenting, and what God wants to do in us: 3. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

And Jesus Himself makes it unmistakable how important repentance is when He declared in John 3:3, “Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

It is impossible to be born again without first repenting, because without turning from sin the Holy Spirit cannot perform the work of regeneration. And without regeneration, you cannot turn your heart toward God — which makes it impossible to be God’s Temple. Repentance opens the door in which the Holy Spirit enters your life. It is the moment the heart turns from darkness to the light of God, allowing His grace to flow through you.

Without Repentance There is NO Forgiveness

God cannot work in your life without you first being honest with yourself about your sins, and your need for Him. He is a free will God who will not impose Himself on an unwilling heart. God declares in Isaiah 55:11, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” And Proverbs 28:13 warns us, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

God knows the human heart and its motives. He will not be mocked by performing His works in an unrepentant heart that refuses to bring glory to His name through obedience. We are flawed in this fallen world, and our shame is meant to bring us closer to God — because that very shame leads us to surrender to Him. It is the recognition that we are separated from Him and no longer feel at home in the natural world of iniquity and transgression.

Repentance leads to forgiveness because it shows God that although you may stumble, your love for Him will not allow you to return to a life of sin. Repentance is the heart turning to God; forgiveness is God turning His face toward you.

An Act of Faith That God Responds to

Repentance shows you seek to control your mindset and the thoughts that flow from your soul — it is the first act of faith. An act of faith because it shows God that you recognize you’re weakness in the flesh and your need for His strength to walk in the Spirit. It is proof that you have come to understand what Jesus was teaching when He said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Faith is knowing that God will protect and provide for you without requiring you to sacrifice your integrity. Faith is finding pleasure in God’s ways and in the company of His people — because your heart has turned away from ungodly ways and ungodly people.

A New Life When Hearing the Voice of The Shepherd

When you repent of your sins, your desires change — and this leads to a new life. Instead of settling for “it’s just the way I am” you embrace who you are becoming in Christ Jesus. Instead of staying rooted in how you were raised, you allow the pruning process of God to remove branches in your life that cannot produce good fruit. Repentance makes room for God in your life, and as He removes that which is contrary to Him, you begin to experience the Godliness He placed within you before you were even in the womb — chosen by God before birth.

In this world, God has simply been waiting for you to hear the voice of the Shepherd. And once you do, everything changes. Just as Jesus said in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

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16. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17. If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are.

The Holy Spirit Gives Life to Your Spirit

Once a Christian is born again — born from above — God begins the ongoing work of regeneration in the life of the believer. In our natural state, even with faith alone, we are not fit for the Kingdom of God. This is exactly what Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus in John 3:6: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” The New Living Translation makes it even clearer: “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.”

In John 14:17, 15:26, and 16:13, Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit can only bear witness with our spirit if we believe God’s truth: that He sent His only begotten Son, who bore our sins, died on the Cross, was buried, and rose on the third day — defeating death, healing us through His stripes, and making those who believe righteous through His shed blood. This is the Holy Gospel, and our faith as believers is rooted in it. In order to receive the Holy Spirit, faith must be rooted in the heart, not merely confessed with the mouth.

Revealed by the Risen Christ Not Taught by Man

Although Paul did not interact with Jesus during His earthly ministry, he did receive direct revelations from the risen Christ after encountering Him on his way to Damascus. Concerning the Gospel, Paul tells us in Galatians 1:12: “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” God revealed His Son in Paul and appointed him as the chosen vessel to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15,16). After this calling, Paul spent three years in Arabia and Damascus before going to Jerusalem to meet with Peter and “James, the Lord’s brother” (Galatians 1:18,19).

The disciples — not only the Twelve — received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). But in Paul we see something more: not only the work of regeneration by the Holy Spirit, but also the sanctifying work of enlightenment that comes only from the Holy Spirit dwelling within. By revelation of the risen Christ, Paul possessed an understanding of the Spirit’s indwelling that was much deeper than any of the disciples — who, even though they walked with Jesus, still wavered in faith at times.

A Temple Built by God Not by the Hands of Men

The Old Testament gives us an example for today: God revealed His truth and His judgments to prophets, judges, and kings who then delivered them to believers and unbelievers. In a similar way, Paul is an example of how the Holy Spirit reveals Christ within the believer — and how the Spirit convicts of sin to keep our walk holy and aligned with God.

The regenerating work of the Spirit makes the believer the Temple of God. This work fulfills a prophecy Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well when He said, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.” God is now found in the hearts of those made spiritually alive by His Spirit — no longer in structures made with hands.

You Are That Temple

In an attempt to comfort the disciples in His physical absence, Jesus tells them in John 16:7 that unless He goes to the Father, the Holy Spirit will not come to them. The Holy Spirit is mentioned sparingly in the Old Testament, so the disciples would have been just as clueless about the promise of His coming, as Nicodemus was when Jesus spoke of being born again. Imagine the fear this would have stirred in them: their Teacher, Protector, and Comforter would no longer walk beside them. Leaving their hearts empty, with countless questions to be asked, and many answers still hidden from them.

Jesus provided the solution to their fears only a few statements later in John 16:13 when he declared, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” Their pain and confusion would have shaded their hearts from this good news. But for us today, our hearts should be enlarged with joy — because the Spirit of Jesus dwelling within us makes us the Holy Temple of God. This is the same truth that emboldened Paul to travel wherever the Spirit directed him, preaching the Gospel and establishing churches.

Living as God’s Holy Temple

As the living Temple of God, believers are called to live Godly lives. Our sacrifices are no longer the blood of bulls and goats, but the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving to God. We live Godly by abandoning the desires of the flesh —the very desires that once practiced sin, and created separation from God. Instead, we walk in the Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit. We know we are born from above when love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance manifest in our lives because, these are the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23).

The work of the Holy Spirit is ongoing — shaping the thoughts and actions of the believer so they align with God’s commands for all and His will for each of us individually. He does this by revealing the truth about the world around us and showing how it aligns (or conflicts) with God’s truth. When our thoughts, actions, words, or deeds drift from Christlikeness, the Spirit will convict us by stirring a holy discomfort within. Every conviction is an invitation to return to righteousness. But every time we ignore His conviction, we grieve the Holy Spirit, and our lives drift further from God’s righteous path. Ephesians 4:30 is a stern warning against this, “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

Just as God allowed the physical Temple to be destroyed when it was repeatedly defiled, the Temple of the believer will also face judgment if defilement becomes a pattern. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 3:17, “If any man defile the Temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are.” These words should not be taken lightly. God will bring one of His children home early, rather than risk them falling back into the bondage of sin and the hands of the evil one — the same way he allowed the physical Temple to be destroyed rather then let pagans mock and defile His Holy ground.

A Blessing Paid for With the Shed Blood of Christ Jesus

Although the warning is sobering, the privilege of being the Temple of God is a great honor that comes without burden. It means never being alone (John 14:18), because the Holy Spirit not only dwells within you but walks beside you — constantly communing with your spirit and guiding you into all truth (John 16:13). He gives strength in times of weakness as you lean on His holy walls, steadying your feeble knees so you may walk upright in righteousness. Your countenance becomes a testimony, drawing others because the God-Light shines through you — and ever brighter when your holiness during storms brings glory to His name.

With the Holy Spirit, you have endless access to the peace that only Jesus can give, because He is the comforter who reminds you that Christ is with you always (Matthew 14:26). Being God’s Temple is a blessing paid for by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. A gift available to anyone who believes in their heart that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior.

Amen.

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5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 
7. Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

Understanding What It Means to Be Born of Water and the Spirit

In Part One we discovered that “born again” is best understood as “born from above,” because although anōthen can mean again or from above, John consistently uses it to mean “from above” in his Gospel. But whether we say born again or born from above, we still must answer two essential questions: What does it mean? And how can we know a spiritual birth has truly taken place in us?

As always, scripture itself will answer these questions. One of my favorite principles in Bible study is “scripture for scripture” — letting the Word interpret the Word. This simply means using parallel passages to enlighten us to the passage we are studying. And in this case, “water” and “Spirit” are foundational to scripture. As such, they are foundational to understanding what Jesus meant when He said, “Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Before answering what it means to be born again, we must know how to get to a place in natural life to be born again. Jesus answers this when He tells Nicodemus, “a man must be born of water and the Spirit.” So let us begin with water.

The Three Theories About What “Born of Water” Means

There are three major theological theories about what Jesus meant when he said a person must be born of water.

One theory suggests that Jesus is referring to natural birth and amniotic fluid. However, nothing in Jesus’ words points to natural childbirth. Other than Nicodemus mentioning the womb, natural childbirth isn’t a part of the discussion. Plus historically, the ancients did not make reference to water when speaking of pregnancy or childbirth. And no where in the Bible is water used that way.

Another theory claims that “born of water” is referring to baptism. Although based on certain theological traditions, it does not fit the context of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. This is because at the time, the baptisms John was performing were for repentance of sins. Unlike Christian baptisms that symbolize being united with Christ in His death and being raised with Him — a picture of new birth. But Christian baptisms had not been established at the time Jesus was speaking with Nicodemus about being born again.

The Biblical View: Water as Cleansing and Spirit as Regeneration

A final theory is not only rooted in theology — it is rooted in Scripture itself. This view holds that Jesus was referring directly to Ezekiel 36:25-27, a prophecy that addresses both water and the Spirit in the context of God’s promised work of renewal. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God says to the house of Israel:

“25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 

27 And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

As I pointed out in Part One, Nicodemus — a teacher of Israel — should have immediately recognized this passage. Jesus was not introducing Nicodemus to a new concept, he was directing him back to a prophecy he was no doubt familiar with. He should have realized that Jesus was using water symbolically to express the cleansing and washing away of unrighteousness in the life of the sinner — because the unrighteous cannot enter the kingdom of God. He should have also recognized that the Spirit refers to God’s Spirit doing the work of inward renewal, giving a new heart, and the ability to be obedient to God.

How the New Testament Clarifies the Meaning of “Born of Water”

For the New Testament Christian, the meaning of “born of water” becomes clearer when we read just one chapter further. In John 4:10 after asking the Samaritan woman at the well for a drink, Jesus says to her:

“If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

Just as Nicodemus was confused by Jesus’ words, so was the Samaritan woman. But Jesus did not rebuke her because, she did not have expert knowledge of the Torah or the prophets — unlike Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel who should have known the Scriptures. Instead, He explains what He means by “living water.” In John 4:14 He says:

“but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.”

Just as the Father had done in Ezekiel 36 to describe cleansing and renewal of the house of Israel, the Son also uses water symbolically with the Samaritan woman to describe the life-giving, cleansing work that leads to eternal life. Parallel Scriptures where water represents: cleansing, renewal, and the removal of unrighteousness. The very process Jesus explained to Nicodemus as being necessary to enter the kingdom of God.

How the Spirit Gives New Life to the Believer

It is the Holy Spirit that performs the work of regeneration — giving the believer a spiritual heart, and making them a new creation. No apostle speaks more boldly about the Spirit’s work than Paul.

In 1 Corinthians 3:16 he reminds us:

“Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

And in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) he declares:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin and leads us to repentance. He holds a mirror to our lives, exposing our once ignored ungodliness. He gives us the desire to be obedient to God and restrains language, habits, and desires that once separated us from God. This is the work of regeneration — a transformation that begins in our spirit and renews our soul, making us a new creation from the inside out.

Jesus Will Know IF You’re Born Again

Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus that his knowledge of the Scriptures — even his position as a teacher in the synagogue — would not give him entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven. And today, there are many modern-day Nicodemuses on both sides of the pulpit.

Faith is not inherited from parents or guardians. Even if they’ve had you baptized when you were a child, that does not mean you were born again. Church attendance, religious activity, and the ability to quote Scriptures does not create a relationship with God. Tradition cannot purify the heart. Memorization cannot cleanse the soul. And outward religion cannot produce inward regeneration.

Jesus says something in Matthew 7:23 that is bluntly unmistakable and cannot be misunderstood. His words strike the core of every believers faith and obedience, leaving no doubt that only those who are truly born again will enter the Kingdom of God.

Jesus declares in Matthew 7:23:

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!“

Born again does not mean without sin, but the born-again believer no longer makes a practice of sin. They will still stumble, but their life is no longer characterized by rebellion, but by a desire to be obedient.

You Will Know IF You’re Born Again

Jesus understands the true nature of a persons heart. When He quoted Isaiah in Matthew 15:8, He said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” He was exposing a timeless truth: expressions of religion can imitate faith.

Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior has to be believed with the whole heart — not merely spoken with the lips. Only then does God send His Spirit to begin the work of regeneration. And once that work begins, the believer will notice subtle, but unmistakable changes: desires shift, habits become easier to break while losing their grip, and ungodly people will fall away — often without any conscious effort.

These changes are not self-improvement; they are the evidence of a spiritual birth. Spiritual birth rarely hits with a bang — the celebration happens in Heaven. Jesus tells us in Luke 15:10: “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” When the Spirit regenerates a person, Heaven rejoices, even if the believer themselves feels the change subtly at first.

In the end, Jesus’ words to Nicodemus and to the Samaritan woman at the well unite into a single truth: spiritual birth is God’s cleansing and His Spirit making us new and acceptable for the Kingdom of God — and those who are born again from above will bear evidence of it.

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3. Jesus answered, and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mothers womb, and be born?
5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Common Misunderstandings About Being Born Again

If you ask a Christian if they have been born again, most will quickly answer yes. But if you ask them how do they know they’ve been born again, the answers vary. Some point to being raised in church or believing in God. Others mention being baptized or having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Some may even point to the promise in Scripture of eternal life. There is nothing wrong with these answers as expressions of faith — but are any of them proof of being born again?

Being born again is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Christian life. And like most things that are misunderstood, it is often taken for granted. This should concern every self-proclaimed Christian, because Jesus made it unmistakably clear in John 3:3 (NIV): “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” There is nothing confusing about that statement. There is no reason to over-complicate it by cherry-picking doctrines about law and grace, or faith and salvation.

So what exactly does it mean to be born again? How can a person know with certainty that they have been born again? And perhaps the most sobering question of all: am I truly right with God if I cannot answer these questions?

Although the concept of being born again sounds simple to understand, not even some of the most learned religious leaders and teachers — in the days of Jesus or today — are able to comprehend it with a surface level reading of the text. So there is no reason to feel as if you are failing in your faith, if you don’t understand it.

Nicodemus: A Religious Man Still in the Dark

John 3 introduces us to Nicodemus, a Pharisee. According to the first-century historian Josephus Flavius, there were 6,000 Pharisees during the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry. They prided themselves on separation from Gentile influence and held a strict adherence to the Mosaic law. They were experts in the Torah, many knowing it by heart. Most Pharisees were landowners, businessmen, and synagogue leaders — respected, educated, and morally disciplined.

But Nicodemus was not just any Pharisee. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish ruling council — the closest equivalent to a Supreme Court. The Sanhedrin was led by the high priest and composed of chief priests, elders, scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees. It held authority over Jewish religious, civil, and criminal matters. It was the Sanhedrin that held a sham trial — a kangaroo court — to condemn Jesus before His crucifixion.

Yet, even with expert knowledge of the Torah and the prophets, Nicodemus still could not comprehend what Jesus meant when He said, “except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” But, when we look deeper into the text, we discover not only why Nicodemus was confused, but why many Christians today are as well.

The Dual Meaning of Anōthen — Again or From Above?

In John 3:3, the phrase “born again” is translated from the Greek gennēthē anōthen. Gennēthē comes from the root verb gennáō, which means ” to beget” or “to give birth to.” The word anōthen carries a dual meaning. One meaning is again, and it can also mean from above. It is not entirely clear why Nicodemus interpreted Jesus’ words to mean “born again,” especially when Jesus immediately connected the phrase to “see the kingdom of God.” It is also noteworthy that John makes no attempt to clarify the meaning for his readers. The most reasonable explanation is that John assumed his audience would understand that Jesus meant born from above.

John uses the term anōthen in other passages, and he always uses it to mean “from above“. In John 19:23 when describing Jesus’ coat, he writes that is was woven “from the top throughout.” And in John 3:31 he declares, “He who comes from above, is above all.” John consistently uses anōthen to mean “from above,” not “again.”

Jesus’ Patience With Nicodemus’ Confusion

A lesson we can learn from Jesus in this dialogue is the remarkable patience He showed toward Nicodemus. Despite Nicodemus’ expert knowledge of the Torah and the prophets, he was utterly confused by what Jesus was saying. Asking — “Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb?” — was illogical and beneath the intelligence and training of a member of the Sanhedrin. As He often did with other Pharisees, Jesus did not rebuke Nicodemus. Instead, He simply and patiently said with clarity, “except a man be born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” This statement should have made what Jesus meant, absolutely clear to Nicodemus.

“Born of Water and Spirit” — A Prophecy Nicodemus Should Have Known

With his knowledge of the prophets, Nicodemus should have immediately recalled Ezekiel 36:25-27 where God promises Israel a future cleansing and spiritual renewal:

25. “I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. 

26. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

27. “And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.

Jesus had not made a new revelation to Nicodemus. The promise of spiritual rebirth — cleansing, regeneration, and the indwelling of God’s Spirit — had been given to Israel centuries earlier. In seeking righteousness through the law, and his prominent religious status, it seems Nicodemus had forgotten the very prophecy that explained what Jesus meant. Being “born of water and the Spirit” was not a new idea; it was the the prophesied work of redemption that would cleanse God’s people, renew their hearts, and restore glory to His name.

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Jude, whose Hebrew name is Judah, identifies himself as “Jude the servant of Christ and brother of James...” As the brother of James, Jude would also be half-brother to Jesus. Half brothers because none of Jesus’ siblings shared the untainted blood of God. Though they all shared the blood of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, and were all born of Mary. This may be why, although not as well-known as the other disciples, he was respected enough that at least one of his letters was included in the New Testament.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, His own brothers did not believe he was the Messiah. John 7:5 tells us “For neither did his brethren believe in Him.” And Mark 3:21 gives an even more vivid illustration of their early disbelief: “When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.”

This explains why Jude, like his brother James, was not among the 12 disciples. But Paul records something remarkable in 1 Corinthians 15:7: “After that, he was seen of James, then of all the Apostles.” It is striking that Jesus chose to appear to His brother — one who had not believed in Him — before appearing to the disciples who had followed Him. It suggests that James, and later Jude, became became believers after the risen Christ appeared to James personally.

Jude, like James, addresses himself as a “servant of Jesus Christ”, choosing reverence for Jesus over a claim to familial ties. Yet in the same breath he acknowledges being the “brother of James” which humbly affirms his identity without pridefully elevating himself. This shows how deeply Jude came to believe in Jesus — a belief strong enough to transform him from an unbeliever into a leader in the early church. As someone whose life was personally changed by the resurrection, Jude’s teachings carried a weight that a distant observer, even one that was trained by the apostles or even by Paul himself, could not possess.

Jude’s letter shows just how deeply concerned he was with the direction and stability of the early church. Though his epistle is only one chapter, its intent is direct and unmistakable. In verse 3 he writes, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation: it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints.”

By using the term of endearment “beloved” shows his compassion and concern for the Church. It also reveals that he was being moved by the Spirit as he wrote. His original intention was to write about what he refers to as the “common salvation.” Common salvation is the universal gift of being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ — the shared outcome all Christians enjoy. But the “faith delivered to the Saints” is something different. It is the Gospel itself — the good news, the message, the truth that our faith is built upon and that upholds our salvation. Jude is distinguishing between the outcome of salvation and the foundation that produces it.

Like all the apostles after Jesus, Jude was deeply concerned with false teachers slipping into the Church and twisting the Gospel truth. This is the reason for his change in direction — from wanting to write about our common joy in our shared salvation to feeling compelled to write about protecting the truth of the Gospel itself. Jude knew that a corrupted message produced a distorted salvation.

Jude was highly aware of the stealthy infiltration of false teachers into the early church. As a leader, it was within his authority — and his responsibility — to warn believers who were unaware of the spiritual “spies” among them whose only intent was to twist the Gospel. Perverting it by teaching that since God forgives sin, immorality — including sexual lewdness — was an acceptable lifestyle for believers. These false teachers would prey on the minds of the early believers and new converts, whose faith was still growing and had not yet taken root in their hearts. Teaching them to deny that a risen Jesus had the authority to set moral standards for their lives. Because he was well-versed in the Old Testament, he knew the fate awaiting such false teachers when he wrote in verse 4, “The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago.”

What Jude writes in verses 5-7 shows that the human mind has not changed since the beginning of mankind. And this means that since human nature has not changed, neither has God’s judgment. In verse 5 he writes,“I will therefore put you in remembrance though you once knew this…” He reminds his readers that even though God brought the Hebrews out of Egypt, He later destroyed those who fell into the sin of unbelief.

In verse 6 Jude turns to the disobedient angels: “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day.” These angels rejected God’s authority and sealed their own fate.

Then in verse 7 he reminds us that Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of the judgment of sexual immorality. Writing that they are “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Jude reminds believers — then and now — of the price for unbelief, disobedience, and sexual immorality. These were the most prevalent sins in ancient times, and they remain the most prevalent sins today.

As believers, we must guard ourselves and our faith from the arrogance of unbelievers. Those who reject God can be highly influential, often boasting of their own abilities and even mocking God. Because of their lack of understanding, they reject the thought of being judged by a higher authority, choosing instead to create their own moral standards — following their own moral compass. Their aim is to make the believer self-conscious, even embarrassed about their faith. Targeting when emotions are high and circumstances are difficult. In those vulnerable moments believers can become entangled with unbelievers just as many Hebrews did in ancient times.

Just as it was in Jude’s day, false teachers and unbelievers who mock the faith are unavoidable. Jude knew this, which is why in verse 9 he gives the example of Michael the Archangel disputing with the devil over the body of Moses. Michael did not insult or condemn the devil: instead, he simply said “The Lord rebuke you.” In a similar manner, when we as believers are being attacked for our faith or the God we believe in, we are to show restraint. We do not repay insult with insult. We stand firm in our faith, knowing that those who oppose God bring judgment on themselves, for “vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

At all costs, followers of Christ are to avoid false teachers, or else risk going “in the way of Cain.”, Cain chose to create an offering of crops instead of the blood sacrifice God required of him and Abel. In his self-righteousness, he believed he could decide for himself how to please God. And when corrected for his disobedience, Cain allowed his wounded pride to turn into anger at God and jealousy toward Abel. We learn from Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” Yet Cain allowed his anger to grow into jealousy, which grew into hatred, and hatred led him to commit the sin of murder.

In verse 11, Jude also warns of those who “ran greedily after the error of Balaam, for reward…” Balaam’s sin was greed — compromising his obedience to God for financial gain. It is the same spirit we see today in so-called prosperity preachers who exploit the Gospel for personal profit. As believers, we must know the Word for ourselves so that we avoid joining the sins of others, including those who treat the church as an income stream. When believers support such individuals and enable them to continue in their deception, it is as if they share in the sin with them.

We must also guard ourselves from false teachers and spiritual “dreamers” who lead believers into rebellion, or else we risk perishing “in the rebellion of Korah.” Numbers 16 records the story of Korah, a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, challenging their God-given authority as spiritual and moral leaders of Israel. What appeared to be a call for equality was actually rooted in envy, pride, and selfish ambition. As Christians, we should absolutely stand for equality, justice, and the rights and freedoms of others — especially the less fortunate.

But we are not to join in rebellion of leadership when the true motive is selfish ambition. We have seen this happen in modern times, particularly when pastors, ministers, and preachers entangle themselves in political movements. Standing against sin in our culture is what the church should do. But the church should never join itself with political leadership for political influence and financial gain, nor to create fame for church leaders.

“Ungodly”, means not accepting God; sinful; wicked; refusing to conform to God’s standards. It is a word seldom used today, yet it perfectly describes much of our global culture. Jude not only draws parallels between false teachers and the examples of Cain, Balaam, and Korah — he also uses the word ungodly to describe them. In verse 12 calling them “spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear.”

We know from 1 Corinthians 13 that the word charity in older English translations is the Greek word agapē, meaning love. In Jude 13, the Greek word agapai is used. So “feasts of charity” would be love-feasts. These were communal meals held by the early church to express their Christian love, unity, and fellowship.

Jude is pointing out not only false teachers, but also Christians in name only who claimed the name of Christ, yet had no genuine love for the body of believers. They attended the love-feasts not caring for the brothers and sisters in Christ, having no will to serve, encourage, and build up the Church — but only to satisfy their own selfish desires.

Jude further describes these false teachers as “clouds without water” meaning they give the appearance of having faith, yet their faith is dry and empty. Unable to nourish the soul by providing the “living water” of Christ (John 4:10). He also says they are “carried about of winds“, suggesting that what belief they have is not rooted in truth. Instead their doctrines and teachings would change with every new and popular idea — having no conviction and unable to offer spiritual direction.

Jude continues: “Trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” Illustrating that their teachings cannot produce the fruit of the Spirit thus having no spiritual benefit — their message is spiritually dead. Not only are their teachings dead — they themselves are spiritually dead heading towards eternal damnation. Like uprooted trees, they will be taken out of the way.

Jude was offering a warning, not a condemnation to the believers he was writing to. His epistle moves from the dark tone of caution, and opens to the Light and promise given to believers. Reminding us in verse 18 that the Apostles had already spoken of a time when there would be “mockers of God who will walk after their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3). Jude is not introducing a new threat — but informing those he ministered to, of what the early Church had already taught.

While the exact year of Jude’s writing cannot be determined, most scholars agree that it was written in the late first century, somewhere between mid-60’s AD and 80 AD. This means Jude would have been very familiar with the teachings of the Apostles, including Peter. Peter wrote his second epistle around 64 AD, warning believers of the very same dangers. This overlap shows how real and immediate the threat was to Christianity in its infancy — and the understanding early Church leaders had of the need to protect the faith from corruption.

Jude encourages us to examine what we have been taught about God, Christ, and the Word, because these truths form the foundation our faith is built upon. He emphasizes our relationship with the Holy Spirit — especially through Spirit-led prayer — which he highlights in verse 22. Jude understood that firmly rooted faith, especially in difficult times, requires the work of the Spirit strengthening the believer. When we do not know what to pray for, the Spirit does (Romans 8:26).

Today, eternal life does not seem to be the pillar of faith that it was for the early believers. Their faith — and their hope — rested on the promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. All of the New Testament writers express looking forward to a resurrected life. But Jude goes further by directly instructing us to continue “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Reminding us today, that eternal life is a pillar of our faith and not simply a doctrine. The promise of eternal life sustains our faith as believers and should shape our choices. It is the promise that keeps us anchored in Christ.

It is the promise that made Jude’s final exhortation in the closing verses encourage compassion: through reverence of our Lord by pulling our brothers and sisters in Christ out of sin when they stumble into darkness — and even into the hands of unbelievers. Reminding us that it is our faith in Christ that will keep us from falling into darkness, even though we ourselves may stumble while walking in the light.

We preserve the work of the cross because, it was the sacrifice that cleansed us from our sins, and made us righteous in the eyes of God. And in doing so, our lives bring glory to His name.

Amen!

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