Plain and simple – anger, greed and rebellion against God stinks! Cain (Genesis 4), Korah (Numbers 16), and Balaam (Numbers 22-25) are devastating examples of people like you and me who paid a severe price for giving way to greed, anger and rebellion. Yes, the wages of sin is still death (Romans 6:23a, 8:13a), and God in His grace and goodness (Romans 2:4) reveals these examples to us that we might not fall prey to the severe consequences that await those who follow their ungodly example. A sobering thought for all of us to remember is that in our flesh, this “trinity” of evils dwells, lurking for opportunity to destroy our lives. The very root of the sin in these three individuals lies in questioning the providence of God in His gracious dealings with Abel’s sacrifice, with Moses’ leadership, and with His covenant people, the children of Israel.
Jude uses this history lesson as a warning that there are false teachers and false believers who can creep into the visible church and be filled with the same spirit of anger, greed, and rebellion that overcame and eventually destroyed Cain, Korah and Balaam. The keys to dealing with these sins are prayer, keeping ourselves in love with The Lord, and actively looking for the mercy of Jesus Christ (Jude 20,21).
Beloved, do you see any of these sins manifesting itself in your life? Is there anger towards another person or even toward God because of your circumstances? Are you finding yourself coveting what others have to the point that it is bothering you? Are you rebelling against some authority figure that God has placed in your life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then praise God for His timing with this message!
The Lord in His goodness is revealing to you that now is the time to deal with that sin, or that sin will deal with you. Do not delay in bringing that sin to The Lord in heartfelt prayer. Believe His promise of forgiveness (1 John 1:9). Look afresh to The Lord Jesus Christ and hear Him say to you: “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) Say no to that woe, and walk in newness of life this morning (Romans 6:4). God is faithful (1 Thessalonians 5:24), and delights in being merciful (Micah 7:18,19).
