Kept By Jesus

If I asked you what your favorite book of the Bible is, I am guessing Jude might not make the short list. The “book” is only 25 verses, but I have found it to have some very timely truths and warnings that are as relevant today as when it was originally written. I hope to explore the book of Jude over the next few weeks and share some ways it can help us grow deep in our faith.

Can you imagine what it would have been like to be the brother of Jesus, like Jude was? How many times did he have to hear, “Why can't you be more like Jesus?”

Imagine the pressure on Jude at the next party after the wedding banquet when the wine ran out, and everyone looked to him to see if performing miracles ran in the family. One of the many things I love about Jude is that he seems to be a humble man. I don’t know about you, but if my brother were the most famous person in history, I think I would start my letters with something like, "the brother of the King." Instead, he calls himself, "a servant of Jesus Christ." This sets the tone for a book about true humility – Jude is going to warn about the devastation that can be caused by the pride of false teachers. 

His humility is real and is evidenced by the introduction to the book. He goes on to say that he is writing, “To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:1b ESV) That is a special way of thinking about who we are. We are kept by God; in other words, believers are divinely guarded, preserved, and held secure in their salvation, assuring their perseverance to eternal life despite surrounding spiritual danger. 

I love the idea that my God is actively maintaining a protective watch over me, which is a pretty awesome thought. We are kept by God, and we are also kept for God. We are not to live for ourselves; we are to live in such a way that we see ourselves as His servants, ready to be kept to be used for His work. We know from 1 Corinthians 9:5 that Jude, along with his wife, brother, and sister-in-law, became one of the first missionaries, making himself available to be used by God in a very special way.

Expectantly, 

Shawn 

P.S. Please consider joining us tonight in room 5 at 6:30 PM for a special time of prayer. We could all use it!