Picking up in verse three…

Jude LOVES the people that he’s writing to. And he’s not just using the word “love.” It’s easy to say the word. But Jude really does LOVE these people! As I mentioned in the previous post – – – > Jude wants certain things to be MULTIPLIED to these people. Not blame. Not accusation. Not guilt. Not condemnation. Not shame. Not ignominy. Not indictment. *NOT what “The Healer of the Valley-Pebble” does …a “respectable” man – someone who is very much like King Saul – a petulant man who breeds foolish, ignorant controversies and quarrels / a “venerable” man who is in the snare of the devil; a man captured by Satan to do the will of Satan! NO NO NO!!! Jude wants mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to Jesus’ wife / the adopted/treasured children of God.

So Jude loves the recipients of the this missive, and Jude is very eager to write to them about their common salvation (common salvation = John 3:14; 6:29; 15:5; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 12:2).

And Jude finds it necessary to write appealing to this community to tell them to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. FAITH? We really really really gotta pause and make sure we know what FAITH is! So, at this time, I’m going suggest that you go read the letter to the Hebrews, chapters eleven and twelve. And read it slowly. Really ponder it. Perhaps make a few AI generated images of the details that you’re reading about in Hebrews chapters eleven and twelve. Get a firm grip on what FAITH really is (as it is defined and described as in the Γέγραπται).

Then Jude says that certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. WOWZA! So… who are these people? Specifically? I would say King Saul is an example of this. I would also say that ________________________ is an example of this (I left the ________________________ blank because I’m afraid to actually name this person! I don’t think you know who this person is, but be that as it may – I’m still too scared to actually name them, because (like King Saul) they are abusive toward anyone they suspect of “dishonoring” them! I will tell you this though… the person I have in mind is a “member in good standing in a Presbyterian Church” (and for what it’s worth, I will also tell you that this person does not live in Charlotte NC). …But this is kind of crazy right! It’s crazy that there are people who have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for condemnation!!!

So what’s Jude gonna do about this !?!?

In response to this insidious and guileful threat, Jude decides that he will – – – > remind us that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, Jesus has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

What is this self-indulgence about? It’s about CONTROL OVER CONNECTION.

Fear-Based Compliance

Predictable Volatility: Using intermittent outbursts of anger or “moodiness” so others walk on eggshells to avoid triggering a reaction.

  • The Threat of Abandonment: In personal relationships, this is the “if you don’t do this, I’m leaving” ultimatum.
  • Professional Retaliation: Using status, position, tone, jargon, and manipulation to gain control.
  • Public Shaming: Using the fear of social humiliation to keep someone in line. If you know a mistake will be broadcasted to the group, you become hyper-compliant.

Love Bombing and Withdrawal: Providing lip service and superficial “affection” and “validation” when the person complies, then abruptly withdrawing it when they don’t.

Gatekeeping Information: Control is maintained by being the sole source of “truth”, creating a dependency.

Isolation from Support Systems: Systematically devaluing a person’s friends or family so that the only significant connection remaining is with the controller.

Conditional Belonging: The message is: “You are part of the ‘inner circle’ only as long as you mirror my values and follow my lead.”

Cognitive Dissonance: To cope with the fear, the brain often justifies the controller’s actions (“They only yelled because they care about my success”) to reduce internal stress.

Fawning: Beyond fight, flight, or freeze, “fawning” is the act of becoming hyper-agreeable to appease a threat.