Looking back at the purpose of Jude’s letter, he is warning the church, and let us hear it now, that there are ungodly people who have “snuck in” to the congregation. According to Jude, they have two primary sinful “roots”; they pervert grace to pursue sensuality and they deny Jesus as Master.

Now he clarifies the ungodly even further in verse 16:

“These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage”

These “root” sins produce rotten “fruit”.

Sensuality is the pursuit of “what feels good”, usually sexually or according to the flesh. We don’t often think of grumbling and malcontent with sexual, or physical pleasure. Regardless, it always comes back to selfishness.

It is wanting to feel a certain thing or way, and then coming up short. It’s not good enough, and never will be.

This isn’t really that foreign to us. Sex, as God designs it, isn’t good enough in our modern society either. To be clear, I’m not just talking about sex between a man and a woman. I’m saying that this particular act of intimacy is a physical representation of an inseparable union between two image bearers, man and women, who are grafted into one, and protected by a deep sacrificial love as old as the universe. That love in general, and intimacy particularly, is about giving everything and not getting anything in return. But our society, like Jude’s, is driven by self satisfaction and gratification. Our society is transactional. And when we don’t get what we think we deserve, or we get sick of the old, we want the next thing or something we think will be better. We lack contentment and don’t stop complaining.

‘So if I deny Jesus, because he wasn’t good enough. He doesn’t fit into what I want a savior to be. He doesn’t serve my wants. Then all I want is something to use and abuse.’ That’s what these ungodly individuals do. They only want to use and abuse other image bearers, the church and even Christ himself. They are conniving and seek to take advantage over others.

So then, what for us? Be set apart.

Let’s make our aim to love like Jesus. Sacrificial and pure. If we can love our neighbor, how much more should we love those close to us.

Let’s make this type of sacrificial love central to our intimate relationships, and specifically in our marriages. Husbands, love her like Jesus loves the church. Give everything to show her your love. Prove that nothing can separate you. Wives, submit out of love and patience. Give honor to him, and give everything to build up your union together. Husbands be the kind of man your wife will eagerly submit to, who is a just and honorable leader. Wives be the kind of woman that represents the body of Christ, like the church.

Strive for contentment in all circumstances by focuses your heart on thanksgiving. When you’re tempted to grumble, remember Gods faithfulness. When you tempted to find an angle, or some advantage, flee from it, knowing how destructive it can be. And when you inevitably do stumble, return and repent. Don’t pervert grace by pursuing sin in your freedom.

Lastly, treat the church like the bride and body of Christ. Don’t use and abuse her. Protect her, keep her safe. Guard her and the Word of God, for Satan only seeks to steal and destroy.

As Paul writes to the Church of Ephesus:

Peace be with you.