For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Jude 1:4 NIV
Corrupt the Grace of God
Perverting the course of justice is an offence committed when a person interferes with the administration of justice. In England and Wales it is a common law offence, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. In Canada, we call it obstruction of justice and according to our Criminal Code it includes “Every one who wilfully attempts in any manner to obstruct, pervert or defeat the course of justice in a judicial proceeding.” Anyone found guilty can be given a sentence up to but no longer than two years.
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Throughout the history of the Church, there have been many groups who have, in a variety of ways, subverted and perverted the simple gospel of grace that is the heart of Christianity – that is, all that is needed for our redemption was accomplished by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Sadly, there are groups that try to add something to that – good works, or religious activity – as if anything we can do would earn God’s favour. On the other hand, there have also been those who have said that it is God’s job to forgive us, and so we can go on living any way we want and He must forgive us. Both of these are a lie, of course, and all of this is nothing new. Jude 1:4 says: “For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a licence for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” In our day, we must stand clearly on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation is through His atoning sacrifice alone.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley