Called and Kept

Preserved in Jesus Christ and called. (Jude 1:1, KJV)

Jude 1:24; Ps. 37:28; I Cor. 1:26-31; Eph. 4:1-4; II Thess. 4:18; II Tim 1:9

What Is God Saying?

Jude's short, urgent letter was to counter a bold, destructive school of false teaching. Its growth in popularity was alarming. Read II Peter 2, for that chapter also condemns false teachers as the situation that occasions Jude's letter. These enemies of the faith slipped in and created divisions. They proclaimed that it was all right to kick over the traces of morality. They gathered increasing followers, hearing what they wanted to hear. Jude wrote to encourage Christians not to swallow their pleasant-tasting poison. See the enemy for who he is, false to the core.

How Does This Apply To Us?

We need to hear Jude's words again and again. As we are built up in the faith and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, we who are called will be kept for Jesus Christ. That is our safeguard.

Pray With Me

Lord, You have called Your own to reach that which is always beyond them. Drawing on Your strength, Your chosen ones can do and be the impossible. You have called Your disciples to a life of daring faith and wholeness. You have called Your own to pass through this world with words of peace and goodwill on their lips and with compassionate love in their hearts.

Thank You, Lord, that the One who calls is the One who keeps. I am called to a journey of faith. All through the unknown ways of my pilgrimage—long or short, pleasant or lonely, easy or hard—only let me know that I am called and kept. Then, I will not yield to the temptation of idleness since I am also called to the adventure of faith. I will not become discouraged by unrewarded labor and lonely duty since I am confident that You will keep me through this journey of faith from the first step to the last.

Unto Him who not only calls but is also able to keep, unto Him who is not only able to keep but also calls, unto Him be glory and majesty, dominion and power and the grateful praise of my believing heart, now and forever.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

Moving On In The Life Of Prayer

To find the true riches of prayer, we must begin by accepting the authority of Jesus. That is why our prayers end in the name of Jesus, by His authority and with the seal of His authority. Jude's brief letter ends with that beautiful and familiar benediction that, in turn, ends on the note of the authority of Jesus, “To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever." We pray by the authority of Jesus and for His glory. We are called and kept by His authority and for His glory.