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Category Archives: Spiritual Walk

Wandering Stars

11 Mar
Wandering Stars

We’re currently studying Jude’s small letter. He’s dealing with the subject of false teachers. He wants us to be able to spot and avoid their ways.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Jude 13 NIV

In my last post we looked at Jude’s wild wave analogy. Today we see that he calls them wandering stars.

That’s an interesting way to look at them and I need to explain it. First, we need to see that stars in general seem to rotate around the earth. Now, we know that’s not actually the case, but it appears that way because it’s the earth that’s rotating.

So, to the ancient people, all of the stars seemed to be marching in unison through the night sky. There were some notable exceptions to this. I’m talking about the planets that we can see with the naked eye. These are Mercury, Mars, and Venus to name a few.

The thing about planets is that they don’t travel through the sky with the stars. They take their own path because they orbit the sun.

Why am I talking about planets? Because that’s what Jude is referring to in this section. The Greek word for wandering in this verse is actually planetai, from which we get the English word, planet.

Why is this important? It’s all about agreement.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV

The analogy is this: All of the stars agree on the direction they’re heading. The planets, however, have their own idea of where they should go. These false teachers are not following the sound doctrine of Christ. They have their own way of thinking.

Please remember, agreement is not about you agreeing with what I say. It’s both of us agreeing with what the Word tells us. We need to all be following the path that Jesus laid down for us.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6 NIV

False teachers don’t live this way. They have their own beliefs that they are trying to convince others to follow. They try to get you to believe that they’re living on a higher level than others.

Unfortunately, according to Jude, they’re operating in perpetual darkness. Darkness is the absence of light. God’s Word is light. These people are living according to their own thoughts. They don’t know the destruction that their path is leading them to.

That’s why it’s so important that we stay in prayer and in the Word. In that way we can hear the Holy Spirit’s warning to avoid these pitfalls.

Questions: When has to Holy Spirit kept you from spiritual harm?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 11, 2026 in Leadership, Prayer, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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Wild Waves

09 Mar
Wild Waves

As we continue through the book of Jude, he’s giving us an understanding of the way false teachers operate. This will help us to steer clear of their influence. Hopefully, it will also help leaders to avoid taking their path.

They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame…

Jude 13a NIV

Here is another description Jude gives us to reveal their character. He calls them wild waves of the sea.

If you remember, at the start of this series I talked about the fact that Jude was the brother of James, who wrote the book of James. It seems to me that the two of them had discussions about this.

Listen to what James wrote. In context, he’s talking about someone asking God for wisdom.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

James 1:6-8 NIV

The first insight James gives us is that these false teachers are actually doubting God. The word doubt in the Greek actually means to thoroughly judge, discern or discriminate in the decision making process.

The problem is that these teachers are judging God’s Word. It’s not up to us to decide whether God means what He says or not. His Word is truth. It doesn’t matter what things look like from our perspective.

The next thing I see is that these people are like a wave on the ocean. But it’s not just any wave. It’s a wave that’s specifically formed by the wind blowing across the water. That kind of wave only moves in the direction that the wind is blowing.

False teachers are really good at discerning what it is that people want to hear. Then they package it in an exciting, and even Scripture based message. Little do the hearers know that they’re being led astray by wrong interpretations of the Bible.

This person is also called double-minded, or literally double-souled. It’s like they have a split personality. When they’re around God’s people it seems like they’re super spiritual. But, many times, in private these teachers are just the opposite.

According to James, this person is unstable in all he does. That literally means that the road he’s taking has no permanent direction. These false teachers are continually updating their message to keep their followers entertained – and to keep the money train rolling.

That’s why we need to be constantly aware in the spirit. Regularly spend time in God’s presence. That’s what will keep you safe from their influence.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Ephesians 4:14 NIV

Paul understood all of this. We need to heed his exhortation. Spend time reading the Word and in prayer each day. Stay strong and alert in the spirit.

Question: How do you keep yourself spiritually vigilant?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 9, 2026 in Prayer, Word of God, Faith, Ministry, Leadership, Spiritual Walk

 

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No Rain, No Fruit

06 Mar
No Rain, No Fruit

We’re continuing our study through the epistle of Jude. He’s been talking about false teachers and their effect on the body of Christ. We’re experiencing an epidemic of this in our modern American Christian culture. Jude wrote about this problem almost 2000 years ago.

These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm – shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted– twice dead.
Jude 1:12

This rebuke describes a growing segment of the church. What an appropriate editorial on many of the “ministers” we see on Christian cable, radio, and online.

Jude describes them as shepherds who feed only themselves. They preach messages that excite people in order to keep their cash flow going strong. They’re clouds and wind with no rain – autumn trees with no fruit.

If there’s no fruit, then there’s no seed to plant. But that doesn’t matter. With no rain they couldn’t water them either.

This calls for maturity and discernment for God’s people. That’s especially true when it comes to the teachings we listen to on the radio, TV, or the internet. We need to be asking the Holy Spirit to show us the motives behind the ministry.

It’s a part of the times that we live in. There’s an abundance of the Bible being preached in America these days. How much of it is a Word from God? How much of it speaks what God wants said to this generation, for this time in history? How much planting and watering is being accomplished?

For the amount of Scripture being sent through the airways and over the internet, there is very little fruit to harvest.

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD, “when I will send a famine through the land – not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.”
Amos 8:11-12

The prophet Amos predicted the days when there would be a famine of the Word of God. What is a famine? It’s usually a dry weather pattern. As a result there’s no rain, no crops, and no new seed. This must go on for years to qualify as a famine.

During the time of spiritual famine that Amos wrote about, Israel had many synagogues. These were places where the Scripture was taught. There were people teaching the Scripture all over Israel. Scripture reading abounded – but not the Word of God.

It grieves me to look at the United States in light of this Scripture. We are in that exact same place. An abundance of the Bible is being preached and taught from every possible media outlet. Yet for all of this, the church of Jesus Christ is, for the most part, marginalized.

We need to hunger and thirst for a revival of the Word of God in us. Of course we need Scripture as our foundation – to keep us on track. But we must seek God Himself so that we can receive the Living Word to burn within us.

That’s why I’m so insistent about believers being a part of a local congregation. Yes, I’ve heard the excuses. “You don’t know the pain I suffered from that church.”

I understand; I’ve been there. The truth is that no one can hurt you more than family. But, then again, no one can help you to heal better than family.

Being a part of a local church does open you up to possible hurt. But it can also help to protect you from the spiritual wolves that are out to destroy you.

Question: How have you grown as a result of the local church?

©2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 6, 2026 in Leadership, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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Rebellion

04 Mar
Rebellion

We’re continuing our look at the book of Jude. He’s been writing about false teachers. So far he has used the examples of Cain and Balaam. Now Jude move on to another Old Testament problem.

…they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.

Jude 11 NIV

The first thing we need to do is understand the background of Korah and his rebellion. Korah and Moses were cousins, so you might have expected them to be close. But that’s not the case.

As it happens so often in families, there was a great deal of competition and jealousy on Korah’s part. At some point he began to amass a following who felt the Korah was the better leader. You can read the whole story in Numbers, chapter 16.

Here’s the problem that we even see today in many churches. God calls and appoints leaders based upon His own criteria. So often that doesn’t involve outward ability, but inward character.

…“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7b NIV

Eventually Korah surrounded himself with over 250 others who openly opposed Moses and Aaron. Their argument was that the whole congregation of Israel is holy. So, Moses and Aaron shouldn’t put themselves over the people.

Unfortunately these men were working with a false assumption. Moses and Aaron did not put themselves over Israel. God Himself was the One who placed them in authority.

The end of this rebellion was quick and decisive. The ground opened up under these men and swallowed them alive.

This is what Jude is referencing in his writings. It’s a problem that’s all too commonplace in the modern church.

I believe it’s a result of this generation’s misconceptions of the church. In many places churches are established and structured according to an American business model. They come complete with CEO, CFO, and governing board members.

Please understand – that’s not how God establishes His church. The true church is a theocracy with Christ, Himself as the Head. He calls and appoints leaders as He sees fit.

Too often there are those in the congregation who feel that they know better than the pastor or leaders God has placed in ministry. They end up trying to get people to join their ranks and agree with them. They’re trying to establish their own little kingdoms.

This is what Jude is referring to here. What these rebellious individuals forget is that God hates such rebellion to His established authority. Even James warns us about this.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:6 NIV

We even see this in the early days of the apostles. When they were called before the rulers of Israel, these leaders wanted to stop their preaching. However, a wise teacher named Gamaliel stood up and spoke this truth. He told the assembly to not attack them.

“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Acts 5:39 NIV

I believe we have to be very careful not to join with those who are in rebellion against God-given leadership.

Question: What is your attitude toward leaders you disagree with?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 4, 2026 in The Church, Anointing, Leadership, Spiritual Walk

 

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For Profit…or Loss?

02 Mar
For Profit…or Loss?

I have been going through Jude’s tiny epistle. He’s giving us the characteristics of false teachers and preachers. Now he goes on to a new description.

…they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error…

Jude 11b NIV

To understand this one, we need to know about Balaam, from the Old Testament. His story is found in the book of Numbers, chapters 22-24. You can read that section to get all the details.

Basically, this event took place while Israel was wandering in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. As they were going through Moab territory, the king of Moab got worried.

The king summoned a local, pagan, enchanter named Balaam. He was told that the king would reward him handsomely if he cursed Israel. This was to be done so that Moab could defeat Israel in battle.

God then got Balaam’s attention, and He warned him do only what he heard from the Lord. Balaam must have been planning on ignoring this warning because God used a talking donkey to reiterate this.

He then tried three times to bribe God with sacrifices. He wanted God to curse Israel or parts of Israel. Each time, God made it clear that He would only bless them. Finally, unable to curse Israel, Balaam went back to his home.

Jude uses this event in Israel’s history to reveal a motivating factor in false teachers. He’s saying that these charlatans are in it for the financial gain they receive.

Many times, this is evident on TV and online. Of course, not every famous preacher is looking for financial gain. Most are truly bringing God’s Word to their hearers.

However, there are a few who are greed driven. I am convinced of one thing when I view their show. The only reason they study the Bible is to find Scriptures that will convince you to take money from your pocket and put it in theirs.

Paul dealt with that issue as well.

Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.

2 Corinthians 2:17 NIV

We have to be careful where we sow our seed (financially). If their entire message revolves around sending them an offering, something’s wrong.

When a godly teacher stands before the people of the Lord, it’s not about what they want to hear. His or her message must be the result of time spent with the Holy Spirit. What does the Lord want the people to hear.

I can’t teach something because I know it will get everybody excited. Then, I’ll get a bigger offering. That’s not how it works in the Spirit. I preach what the Lord dictates and He provides for my needs.

Paul sums it up well. He speaks of these false teachers as…

…men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:5-7 NIV

This is why we have to be careful who we support with our finances. That support will cause us to share in their blessings or their God-given discipline.

Question: What experience have you had with ministry for financial gain? If you leave a comment, DO NOT name names.

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 2, 2026 in Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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Repentance Breaks the Curse

27 Feb
Repentance Breaks the Curse

We’re currently going through the book of Jude. He’s writing about false teachers.

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain…
Jude 11a

I’m posting about Cain’s experience. He murdered his own brother because he thought that it would allow him to worship God on his own terms. It didn’t work.

He found himself away from his calling, and hidden from God’s presence. He even feared that he would be killed for his actions. But God did something surprising.

But the Lord said to him, “Not so; if anyone kills Cain, he will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.
Genesis 4:15

God gave Cain the world’s first tattoo. It read, “Kill him and answer to Me – signed – GOD.”

Why would God do such a thing? Throughout His Word the Lord has said that murder is punishable by death. The answer is in His mercy.

Adam lay with his wife again, and she gave birth to a son and named him Seth, saying, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel, since Cain killed him.”
Genesis 4:25

This is a very strange statement for Eve to make. At this point she already had over 100 children. Why did she see the need to specifically replace Abel? The name Seth means to place in as a substitute.

Here’s where we see God’s mercy.

Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the Lord.
Genesis 4:26

What this verse tells us is that something happened when Seth was old enough to have children. The Bible literally says that calling on the name of the Lord was opened up. (The word men is not in the original Hebrew)

Why did God not allow Cain to be killed? The Lord wanted Cain to see the day when a new prophet would rise up. Seth could now offer the sin-offering for Cain’s forgiveness. I’d like to think that Cain took God’s offer of a second chance. I believe that we’ll see him in Heaven.

Remember – Cain’s curse was that he would be a restless wanderer.

Cain lay with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch.
Genesis 4:17

Do you hear that? Cain built a city. He’s not a wanderer anymore. It sounds like the curse was broken over his life. I believe it’s because he took God’s offer of forgiveness.

What can we learn from all of this – the way of Cain? I can’t worship God on my own terms. It’s an epidemic of our generation of believers.

Many people say that they’re pursuing God. The truth is that I can only pursue God the way God wants to be pursued. Anything else and I’m just a spiritual wanderer.

We must worship God the way He wants to be worshiped – in spirit and in truth. Anything else misses the mark.

Question: What curses has God broken from over your life?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 27, 2026 in Power of God, Worship, Faith, The Gospel, Spiritual Walk

 

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Worship on My Terms

25 Feb
Worship on My Terms

As we go through Jude’s epistle, I’ve been posting about the offerings of Cain and Abel.

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain…
Jude 11a

What we’ve seen is that Abel was God’s designated prophet. If Cain’s gift was to be accepted, he had to bring it to Abel. This would have required Cain to humble himself.

“You mean I have to go to my little brother for God to accept my offering?”

The truth is that there’s only one way to worship God acceptably – God’s way. Cain had a problem with that.

Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 4:8

The result was that Cain killed Abel. Cain’s thinking was that God wanted him to worship through the prophet. But what if there was no prophet? Then God would have to accept an offering from Cain’s hand.

Cain wanted to worship God on his own terms. He thought that God would have to accept his offering regardless of how he brought it. But that wasn’t the case.

Cain became the world’s first murderer. He was cursed for this sin.

The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.”
Genesis 4:10-12

What was Cain’s response?

Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Genesis 4:13-14

Cain said that his punishment would be unbearable. Why? Not only was he driven from the land, but he would be hidden from God’s presence.

Does that sound like an angry, hardened reprobate to you? I don’t see any of that as he stands before God.

He is starting to understand his situation. He can no longer fulfill his calling – being driven from the land. He can’t find forgiveness in the presence of God. The only advocate that he could have gone to – Abel – is dead. It even dawns on him that he deserves death.

His answer to God sounds sorrowful to me. He sounds more humble that Adam and Eve did when they sinned.

This shows the mercy of God. The conversation between Cain and God still sounds like the interactions of a father and a wayward son.

We serve a God who always desires restoration over judgment. The outcome of this event is no different. Cain was sorry for what he had done. God had a remedy.

In my next post you’ll see how the story ends. It’s probably different than you think.

Question: How has God’s forgiveness affected your life?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 25, 2026 in Prayer, Worship, The Gospel, Spiritual Walk

 

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Experiencing God’s Work

16 Feb
Experiencing God’s Work

We’re now going through the epistle of Jude, that tiny book toward the end of the Bible. He helps us to understand and identify false teachers and preachers in the body of Christ.

Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals — these are the very things that destroy them.

Jude 10 NIV

This is a very important verse that we need to pay careful attention to. Again, the word he uses for speak abusively against is the Greek word for blaspheme. But, what is it that they blaspheme in this verse?

That word, understand, literally means to know by seeing. In other words, they blaspheme things that they haven’t personally experienced.

Jude goes on to say that these people have a level of understanding. The Greek words that he uses mean that the knowledge they stand upon is in the natural.

That’s an important concept. He says that this natural knowledge will cause them to shrivel, wither, and become ruined.

The Apostle Paul dealt with this exact same issue in his first letter to the Corinthians.

The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV

That phrase, man without the spirit, is literally natural or soulish man in the Greek. In other words, like Jude tells us, they don’t accept what they don’t understand.

I’ve seen this many times in my ministry. If you were to label me, I’d be called a Charismatic preacher. That means I’ve received the baptism in the Holy Spirit as evidenced by speaking in tongues.

I regularly pray in the spirit (in tongues). I know, by experience that I cannot minister fully in God’s power without it.

However, I also know that there are many believers who haven’t experienced this manifestation in their lives. I don’t judge them or look down on them.

But, there are also those who preach and teach against this experience. Many of them go as far as to say that what I experience is of Satan. I have a big problem with this.

I’m about to say something that may sound like I’m bragging. I assure you I’m not because it’s all based upon the power of God and not my own strength or intelligence.

I have brought many people into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I have laid my hands on the sick and have seen them healed in the name of Jesus Christ. I have cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ.

Why would the devil ever allow me to do that if I was operating in the power of the enemy. Like Jesus said to His accusers…

“If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?”

Matthew 12:26 NIV

I believe Jude is talking about this. These people are blaspheming what they haven’t experienced. We need to be very careful about how we treat others in the body of Christ, especially if we don’t understand their ministries.

Question: How do you respond when you hear someone preaching against other ministries?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 16, 2026 in Healing, Ministry, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Leaders Who Leave the Path

11 Feb
Leaders Who Leave the Path

We’re continuing our study through Jude’s letter to the church. He’s writing to combat the false teachers who infiltrate the body of Christ.

In verses 5-7, Jude is reminding the people about God’s character. Even though God is love, He’s also perfectly righteous and just. Because of this truth, we need to always keep in mind the laws of sowing and reaping.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8 NIV

Jude is reminding the church of the negative examples of this throughout history. He mentions the children of Israel who were delivered from Egypt, but died in the wilderness because of their sin.

He also reminded them about the angels who fell as well as Sodom and Gomorrah. These are all examples of those who persisted in their errors with no repentance.

Now Jude describes the characteristics of false teachers.

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings.

Jude 8 NIV

He first describes these people as dreamers. That word, dream, means to see something in your sleep. The fact that Jude calls them dreamers, points to the fact that they’re asleep. That’s an important spiritual concept.

Paul talked about this with the Thessalonian church.

You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 NIV

The opposite of being spiritually asleep is to be alert and self-controlled. In my last post we saw that these false teachers were turning God’s grace into a license for immorality. This is the false “revelation” that these dreamers are seeing in their spiritual slumber.

The next thing Jude says about these people is that they pollute (contaminate, defile) their bodies. This is also something that Paul talked about.

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

Titus 1:15-16 NIV

In these verses, Paul actually tells us how to identify these “polluted Christians”. He tells us that their words don’t line up with their actions. They may say that Jesus is Lord. However, in their daily lives they’re not following the Lord’s instructions.

This type of life is an epidemic in the church these days. There are many who like the idea of saying they’re a believer. Unfortunately, they don’t realize that you can’t simply pick and choose what Biblical truths you want to follow.

We need to take our walk with the Lord seriously.

I’ll continue this in my next post.

Question: How spiritually awake are you?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 11, 2026 in Leadership, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Jude Begins

04 Feb
Jude Begins

If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, you know that I’ve been systematically going through the New Testament in the order that the Holy Spirit revealed it to the church.

I started a few years ago, with the four foundational books – James, First Thessalonians, Galatians and Mark.

The next thing on the Holy Spirit’s agenda was to inspire books that dealt with our personal walk with the Lord. These books include Second Thessalonians, First and Second Corinthians, Romans, and Luke.

After that, the Lord gave us books dealing with our corporate walk. We need to understand life as a church. These epistles are Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

We then transitioned to the next series of letters given to us by the Holy Spirit. They center around raising up mature Christian leadership.

These books are (in the order they were revealed to the church): 1 Peter, Jude, 1 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, Acts, 2 Peter, 2 Timothy, and Matthew.

In my last post we finished 1 Peter, so today we’ll begin with the tiny letter from Jude.

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Jude 1-2 NIV

What you need to know about the Apostle Jude, is that he shows a great deal of humility. He calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. Yes, he was the brother of James, but that’s not the whole story.

James was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem. At one point the largest and fastest growing church in the world.

Also, both James and Jude were the physical sons of Mary and Joseph. That makes them the half-brothers of Jesus Christ. But, instead of using this as a point of pride, he simply calls himself a servant.

I think about some of the “Christian personalities” we see on TV and online these days. I can only imagine some of them publishing the claim that they were “raised in the same household as Jesus”. They might use this to enhance their credibility.

This is not the case with Jude (or James). They both acknowledge the fact that they needed a Savior. And, as far as we know, they didn’t accept Christ as Messiah until after the resurrection.

So, why did the Holy Spirit inspire this little letter in the section concerning leadership?

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. 4 For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Jude 3-4 NIV

Simply put, he will be dealing with traps that Christian leaders fall into when they take their eyes off of Christ and their calling. This is the subject I’ll be dealing with over the next few posts.

It’s a very important topic in the body of Christ today. If you haven’t already done so, you may want to subscribe, so you won’t miss any of these posts.

Question: How should a leader show true humility in ministry?

© 2026 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 4, 2026 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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