September 10, 2022 -- Jude 1 -- Filled to overflowing with the blessings of God

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.
Jude 1 ESV

How challenging it must have been to grow up as a brother of Jesus. Jude calls himself a slave of Jesus (aka a servant) and a brother of James. James and Jude are brothers, therefore, they both are brothers to Jesus. They watched Him. They mocked Him. They were ready to take Him back to Mary because Jesus’ public ministry seemed to them to be crazy and they were ready to just keep Jesus at home (Mark 3:20-21). When Jesus was pursued by the authorities and nearing the time of His death, the brothers mocked Jesus, taunting Him to go to Jerusalem (John 7:1-5).

Jude noted that those who are called are given many blessings by the Father. Called, that is, those who had formerly resisted Jesus, who lived in rebellion against God, but are now drawn near because of the decision of God to bring many sons and daughters to Himself through the reconciling work of Christ Jesus. This is the love of the Father, His decision before the foundation of the world, which designated His children as beloved.

Who keeps you for Jesus? The phrasing is odd in the passage. Those who are called are kept for or kept by Jesus. Jude knew this personally. That is, he knew the role of the Spirit. Without the on-going activity of the Spirit in the heart and mind of the child of God one could not sustain a relationship with the Father Who calls us beloved. Our sinful nature constantly pulls against the Father’s love. Our sin-nature struggles to delight in what is perfect and wholesome and good. This is why the Spirit of God keeps the believer by breaking down every inclination to set up new idols and the Spirit casts out every budding sense of rebellion that stirs up in the heart.

This all may seem too extreme; as if there is too much emphasis on sin and not enough on a person’s desire for good. Ask yourself, when no one is looking, are you inclined to doing good for the glory of God? When you are tired, do you think about activities to “reward yourself”? Are such activities completely holy or good or upbuilding? When you are bored, are you immediately going to God for the next task and opportunity? Thanks be to God, our Father, that His Spirit restrains us and continually brings us back to our merciful Father by the way made open to us in Jesus Christ.

Glorious Father, thank You for Your mercy which rains down on us every day, at every juncture of our life where it is needed. Thank You, mighty God for peace—that steady state of beautiful shalom where there is peace with You through Christ Jesus, peace with other Christians, peace when facing difficult circumstances because the believer knows You are in charge of all things. LORD of heaven and earth, thank You for Your love. Such a measureless ocean of love that surrounds us, overcoming the brokenness of our world, rebuilding the shattered pieces of our lives, and divine love that gives perspective to our circumstances and lifts us to the knowledge that all things are, right now, working together for good for those who love Christ. Blessed are You, Triune God, worthy of all praise and honour and worship. Amen.

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