⁸ In the same way these people also, with their vein imaginings, defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak abusively of glorious beings. ⁹ Michael the archangel, on the other hand, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him an abusive judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” ¹⁰ But these people disparage all the things that they do not understand; and all the things that they know from their base instincts, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. ¹¹ Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have given themselves up to the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. ¹² These are the ones who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring only for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted; ¹³ wild waves of the sea, churning up their own shameful deeds like dirty foam; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved for all time (Jude1:8-13).

This middle passage from Jude’s epistle is significant in the context of what I’m presenting, being among other things the fact that in terms of the soteriology that determines a person’s present and eternal estate, there are not two but three categories: saved (cat#1), damned (cat#3) and the vast majority who are neither (cat#2). Confusion arises (just as it was foretold to arise – next post) because as far as most  bible/gospel narratives are concerned, the usual demarcation is between the called/chosen/faithful whom the New Testament refers to as “saved” on the one hand, and everyone else on the other. Paul for example describes non-believers as “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph2:1; Col2:13) or “lost” (2Cor4:3). Jesus sometimes refers to them as “lost sheep” (Mt15:25), being those whom as Son of Man He came to save (Mt18:11).

So in terms of the lost/saved dichotomy, no obvious distinction is made been between my category 2 and 3. However, there is an alternative dichotomy that Scripture identifies, and it has different dividing lines. In the Old Testament, especially the wisdom literature, it is the righteous versus the wicked, whilst in the New Testament, especially the Johannine epistles, it is those who are “of God” and those who are the children of the devil. In Jesus’ definitive parables regarding this mystery, in terms of their origins category 3s are represented by tares/darnel/weeds in Mt13 , whilst in terms of their characteristics and post-mortem destiny, they are the goats in Mt25.

Misappropriated categorizations

Such reprobates have traditionally been lumped in with or deemed indistinguishable from “the unsaved”. However, our passage from Jude throws light on the matter where he refers to those who have gone in the way of Cain (v11), in particular that such are twice dead and devoid of fruit (v12). The unsaved (my category 2s) do not all fit that criteria – they are by nature in Adam, not Cain. Nevertheless, in Paul’s language they are dead in trespasses and sins, by which as I explained in this earlier post, he means they are currently alienated from the life of God in terms of having a living relationship with Him. In the language of the writer to the Hebrews their consciences have not been “cleansed from dead works to serve the living God” (9:14).

However, unlike category 3s they are not “dead” in both flesh and spirit, merely in flesh, i.e. body and brain: “For I joyfully agree with the law of God in my inner being, but I see a different law in my bodily members waging war against the law of my (spiritual) mind, making me a prisoner of the law of sin, the law which is in my body’s parts. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin” (Rom7:22-25).

Misinterpreting Romans 7

Since Augustine’s rejection of natural law, most commentators have interpreted that vital passage from Rom7 as referring to the Christian. Truly I tell you, if you are still “a prisoner to the law of sin” (v23) you are not currently a Christian, and that is spelt out in the chapter that follows (Rom8). This earlier post explains in more detail. In view of traditional teaching, many (especially Evangelicals) will question how a non-Christian could possibly “delight in God’s law in the inner man (v22)”. But anyone (Christian or otherwise) who recognizes that kindness, compassion and consideration for others is a good and noble thing is “delighting in God’s law”. For “if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Rom13:9). Indeed, writes Paul, “the whole Law is fulfilled in one statement, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Gal5:14)

 Yet the many (category 2s) to whom this applies would have to acknowledge: “However, I see a different law in my bodily members waging war against the law of my (spiritual) mind, making me a prisoner of the law of sin, the law which is in my body’s parts”. In other words, they may delight in what is good, right and noble, but they do not and cannot consistently practice it. That is in view of mankind’s fallen nature – what Paul refers to as “the flesh”. No longer so for category 1s (the elect):  “However, you are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” (Rom8:9).

A chilling serenity

But then there are those who (writes Jude) go in the way of Cain (my category 3s). They do not “see a different law in my bodily members waging war against the law of my (spiritual) mind”. They are twice dead – in flesh and spirit: their physical and spiritual components are at peace with each other and united in evil. Having no working conscience they have no internal compulsion to do what is lawful and right, except  for the purpose of being accepted or praised by others. They possess a chilling serenity in the face of evil, being entirely at peace with themselves when they lie, cheat and hurt others. This is absolutely not the case for all non-believers, whom Paul observed as “Gentiles although not having the Law yet  perform by nature the requirements of the Law, these, though not having the Law, they become a law for themselves” (Rom2:14). And that is because  “they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts either accusing or defending particular actions (next verse).

So category 2s, although not currently knowing Christ as their Lord and Saviour, do know Him and His law through the Light He has provides to everyone’s conscience (cf. Jn1:9 strictly KJV). In category 3s that light has been extinguished (cf. 1Tim4:2), as a result of which they can be said not to know God at all.  Unlike all other human beings (Gen9:6) they do not in any sense reflect His image. In Jude’s language they are not only twice dead but are like “Autumn trees devoid of fruit” (v12). That is in contrast to the Mt25 “sheep” who showed care, concern and kindness to their fellow men and women in need (aka Christ Mt 25:40). Not having been planted by the Father, these reprobates (i.e. rejected ones) shall be uprooted (v12 cf. Mt15:13) and entirely alienated from the life of God, having no positive role in His coming Kingdom.  

The most disturbing aspect from a Christian perspective is that such people not only exist within the world but also  in the Church. That is the context of Jude’s observations here: “These are the ones who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear” (v12). It is partly as a result of such people’s influence that the Church is in the divided and confused state that is today. But take heart, everything is as God knew and intended it should be at this stage, and resolution is at hand (next post).

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