The Cost Of Rebelling Against God
When speaking about ungodly people, who pervert God’s word, to get what they want, Jude, James’ brother wrote Jude 1:11 about three C men, Cain, Balaam, and Korah, who rebelled against God’s authority.
Jude 1:11
Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.
Being religious without faith is the “way of Cain”. It is the way of pride, establishing our own righteousness, and rejecting the righteousness of God. that comes through faith. Cain became a fugitive wandering the earth.
The “way of Balaam” is marketing your gifts and ministry just for the purpose of making money. It is using the spiritual to gain the material. Balaam was a true prophet of God, but he prostituted his gifts, and tried to wipe out God’s people.
The “way of Korah” is found in Numbers 16, and it also centers on rebellion against authority. Korah and his followers resented the leadership of Moses and dared God to do anything about their rebellion. In speaking against Moses, he was speaking against the Lord, who had given Moses his authority. This is a warning for us today. It is so easy to speak against our leaders in thoughtless offhanded ways. God judged Korah and his followers, and blessed the authority, of His servant, Moses. Cain rebelled against God’s authority. His sacrifice was one of duty and convenience. It was not a commitment from the heart. Balaam rebelled against God’s authority. He sold out his gifts for money and led Israel to connect with the other nations and their gods. Korah rebelled against God’s authority. He denied that Moses was God’s appointed leader trying to take over His authority. Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope, to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this scripture?
