Israel Ekundayo
SMOOTH CRIMINALS
*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*SMOOTH CRIMINALS.*
*Scripture Treasure.*
Jude 1:4 *For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
There are people you think you know but may not know.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
There are things and people who may come into our lives yet unknown to us.
Though we may not identify them individually, their vices are known.
The Apostle Jude and the early Church identified them, generally, as godless men.
This was why Jude warned us of these people who will secretly enter our lives and the Kingdom in order to pervert the grace of our God into an abomination and deny Him who is the only Lord God.
Jude says their entrance will be "smooth, sneaky, subtle, undetected, unnoticed". They are smooth, subtle criminals, 1 Tim 1:9, ref Gen 3:1.
We must be careful of people's persuasions or any thoughts that may come to us at any time saying "God does not treat us better than we deserve", or "that it is right to be immoral".
These godless people may even tell us "we have depended on God for too long that it is time to consider other alternatives". They have, by their persuasions made many to stop obeying God hence denied Him.
Strange things are happening around us today. As strange as they may be, they ought not be strange because the scriptures had been written to warn us.
Solomon says there is nothing new under the sun, Eccl 1: 9.
Paul's writing to Timothy warns us of the perilous times, 2 Tim 1:1-3.
It is must remain notable that, there are strangers who will creep in among us unexpected, without our knowledge. Though we will see them but we will not know them and their motives.
What they say to you or persuade you to do will determine who they are and what they have come to do.
Jude says they *"....were before of old ordained to this condemnation,...."*.
Meaning they have been in operation from old, for long and there is a possibility that some may remain undetected for some time, Matt 24:24.
Wake up, keep up your watch!
Beware of smooth criminals in your life and in the Kingdom of God.
*Remorse corner.*
When you are persuaded, ask yourself "if the persuasion is from Him that calls you".
Beware of evil persuasion.
*Call to Word action.*
Acts 20:31 *Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Let no one obstruct you from obeying the truth!
Galatians 5:7-8 *Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?*
*This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.*
*Prayer*
Lord, deliver me. Let no one obstruct me from the truth of Your word in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.