Devo
Jude 1:1
I love the three descriptors of those that Jude is addressing: called, beloved, kept. In the very first sentence, Jude reminds his readers (and maybe himself?) who they are in Christ.
Called - These are people who were chosen by Jesus himself to receive the call of new life. They are not randomly chosen by drawing, but instead carefully selected to be saved through the blood of a God-savior. These people are important in the sight of God, not because of their impressiveness but because of their selection to be a participant in the new life of the risen Jesus.
Beloved in God the Father - Crazy thought #1: Jude's readers are in God. Crazy thought #2: Jude's readers are loved by God. Certainly, had God not loved them, he would not have chosen them. But they were not only chosen to be associated with God. They each got to be one of those blessed and loved by God himself.
Kept for Jesus Christ - These people are going to be a prize or a gift or something for Jesus himself. They are being kept for him. He wants them. Or someone wants to give them to him. Those who are truly listeners to Jude's message will not fail to be fully saved and given to their savior-king, Jesus.
One of the things I really appreciate about these terms is that they are not self-attained. Jude's readers are the beneficiaries of someone else's actions. Someone else called them. Someone else loves them. Someone else is keeping them. Their present is determined by someone else, and so is their future. That someone else is God.
Personal Application: am I trusting today in the God who has created who I am today and is holding me in his hands for my future perfection. Am I living for the one to whom I will be given when the keeping is over? Am I living life today only for Jesus Christ?
I love the three descriptors of those that Jude is addressing: called, beloved, kept. In the very first sentence, Jude reminds his readers (and maybe himself?) who they are in Christ.
Called - These are people who were chosen by Jesus himself to receive the call of new life. They are not randomly chosen by drawing, but instead carefully selected to be saved through the blood of a God-savior. These people are important in the sight of God, not because of their impressiveness but because of their selection to be a participant in the new life of the risen Jesus.
Beloved in God the Father - Crazy thought #1: Jude's readers are in God. Crazy thought #2: Jude's readers are loved by God. Certainly, had God not loved them, he would not have chosen them. But they were not only chosen to be associated with God. They each got to be one of those blessed and loved by God himself.
Kept for Jesus Christ - These people are going to be a prize or a gift or something for Jesus himself. They are being kept for him. He wants them. Or someone wants to give them to him. Those who are truly listeners to Jude's message will not fail to be fully saved and given to their savior-king, Jesus.
One of the things I really appreciate about these terms is that they are not self-attained. Jude's readers are the beneficiaries of someone else's actions. Someone else called them. Someone else loves them. Someone else is keeping them. Their present is determined by someone else, and so is their future. That someone else is God.
Personal Application: am I trusting today in the God who has created who I am today and is holding me in his hands for my future perfection. Am I living for the one to whom I will be given when the keeping is over? Am I living life today only for Jesus Christ?
