Jude warns believers about false teachers who look impressive on the outside but are, in his words, "devoid of the spirit." They talk about angelic visitations, collect prophetic words like trading cards, and act like they've got a direct line to God that the rest of us are missing. And by all appearances, they seem like the super spiritual ones.

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But Jude says the opposite is true. These are the people who've lost their heads – literally, not holding fast to the head, which is Christ.

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Is there such a thing as an "elite" Christian?

No. And here's the part that should set you free: there's no such thing, because we're all already in the elite group. In the old covenant, the Spirit rested on a select few – prophets, priests, kings. In the new covenant, God pours out his Spirit on all flesh.

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So when someone implies you need a special vision, a fivefold apostolic leader, or some new revelation to get everything God has for you – be suspicious. God already gave the church its vision. Go and make disciples of all nations. That's it. Anything marketed as new or novel should raise a flag, not raise your excitement.

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What's the actual antidote to false spirituality?

Jude gives it to us plainly in verses 20-21: build yourselves up in the faith, pray in the Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, and wait for the mercy of Christ. That's not flashy. But it's what God actually commands.

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And remaining in God's love isn't about performance. It's allowing yourself to feel His affection for you as you are – mess and all – trusting that the transformation happens after you receive that love, not before.

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What should we do while we wait for Christ to return?

Show mercy to those who doubt. Snatch people out of the fire. Don't invade culture from the top down. Rather, be a prophetic voice like Noah, faithful in the middle of a world that scoffs at the wait.

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The bottom line

You don't need to be a celebrity Christian to be genuinely Christlike. You need simplicity, prayer, and God's love. Patience. And more mercy – for others, and honestly, for yourself. At the end of the day, we just need God. Nothing more elite than that.

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For the full discussion, watch Michael Miller's address to Wellspring Church DFW.

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