Kept In God's Love

In the short but weighty book of Jude, believers are provided a strong exhortation to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.  More than watching others like a hawk, Jude desired believers would continue to faithfully walk in the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ themselves without straying.  Unless we are holding fast to Christ in truth any effort to keep others in line will be a fruitless exercise in hypocrisy and will end in our ruin.

Jude reminded Christians of the judgment God brought upon erring angels and unbelieving people in times past as a warning of the danger of sin and apostasy.  He provided examples of those who corrupted themselves in Jude 1:11:  "Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah."  All these men acknowledged God's existence:  Cain conversed with God, Balaam was a genuine prophet of God, and Korah was a Levite called by God to the service of the tabernacle.  Despite this, the envious, murderous way of Cain led to him being cursed by God.  Balaam was greedy for money and honour, willing to curse God's people for a price.  He ended up being hewed down by the sword of Israel (Joshua 13:22).  Korah led a rebellion of 250 men against the LORD that directly led to his death when God caused the earth to open and swallow him.

These examples show having a relationship with God, being gifted as a prophet of God and being given authority and a calling by God does not ensure our hearts will remain steadfast in the faith.  Jude pointed out people like these could be found in their own love feasts, and the implication is it could be anyone--even readers who were shocked by this allegation.  In contrast to those who murmured, complained, walking according to their lusts, boasting, mockers and men-pleasers, Jude 1:20-21 exhorted:  "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."  As we walk in faith and obedience to Christ in love, we are to speak to God in prayer and look to Jesus for mercy.

If the book of Jude fills you with fear or trepidation of coming judgment, that is not the desired effect for a contrite child of God.  If it fell to our efforts to keep ourselves in the love of God, we would never achieve such a position nor would we be able to maintain in.  The book finishes with a flourish in Jude 1:24-25:  "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."  We are not worthy, and we are not able:  but God is.  Not only does God bid us stand by His grace and keep us from stumbling, but the LORD is able to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.  How glorious is our awesome Redeemer who keeps us in His love, builds our faith, intercedes for us in prayer and meets our gaze with mercy.