THE GARMENT SPOTTED BY THE FLESH

As Jude brings his short epistle to a close, he gives sound advice as to how believers may protect themselves from the false doc­trine of the apostates he has so vividly condemned. The four activities that will preserve the Christian are building, praying, keeping and expecting. No believer should be so complacent as to think himself beyond the infection of wrong doctrine. Teach­ing that either permits or promotes the activities of the flesh should immediately be suspect, for sound teaching will always be ‘truth which is after godliness’, Titus 1. 1. Doctrine is the basis of practice, and sound doctrine will always promote personal godliness and lead to good works, principles which Paul empha­sized to both Timothy and Titus. Read again verses 20, 21 of Jude’s epistle and mark well the four activities that will preserve the believer from the assaults of apostate men.

In verses 22 and 23, Jude turns from the preservation of believers so far unharmed by the apostate threat to those who have become the victims of these unscrupulous men. A clear dis­tinction is to be made between the apostate and his victim. Active false teachers should be given no sanctuary amongst God’s people. John teaches, ‘If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed’, 2 John 10. It may be possible, however, to rescue some who have been infected by false doctrine, but the believer who would try to do so must be exceedingly cautious in the attempt.

Some expositors see only one category of persons in verses 22 and 23, others see two groups and yet others see three. I favour the one-category view. The would-be rescuer must be grounded in the truth and full of compassion for the victim. His compas­sion will impel him to help, but there is a real risk of him being drawn into the same danger and defilement as the one he is seeking to help. The victim needs to be plucked from the imme­diate danger but, figuratively, his garments are contaminated and infectious, just like those of the leper, Lev. 13. 47-52. Those garments need to go into the fire but, in the goodness of God, the victim will be recovered.