Called, Beloved, and Kept

Jude … to those who are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ. (Jude 1)

Jude does not tell for whom, exactly, this letter was written. That is to say that, unlike other New Testament writers, he does not address it “to the chosen lady” or “to all who are beloved of God in Rome”. He lists no names, no places, no definite clues as to who his recipients were, or where they lived. And yet he does tell us a great deal about them in verse 1. He refers to them as being “called”, “beloved”, and “kept.” Think about those three designations with me:

First, the recipients of Jude’s letter were “called.” Simply put, what Jude means is that they were “called” by God; that they were Christians. So this is not an evangelistic letter, mainly … but a letter written to encourage and strengthen the “called” of God! But the word “called” denotes even more than simply the fact that these people were Christians. “Called” also refers to how they became Christians in the first place! That is to say that these people were not Christians, first of all, because they had called on God … but because He had “called” on them! Now, to be sure, they themselves (along with everyone else who has ever believed on Christ) had to call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10). But that’s not what Jude emphasizes here. Here Jude emphasizes how God had “called” them. And this emphasis is a reminder that, if any of us are in Christ, it’s not first of all because of what we did. No, if we ourselves have called upon the Lord, it’s because we were first “called” by the Lord. He is the initiator in this love relationship. He is the first caller. He sent His Son to die while we were still in our sins (Romans 5.8). And He sent His Spirit to woo us when we were thinking of all sorts of things besides seeking Christ. He called us first! And we should primarily think of ourselves, therefore, not as those who have called upon the Lord, but as those who have been “called.”

And not only were Jude’s recipients “called”; they were, secondly, “beloved”. Probably Jude meant that they were “beloved” by himself, the author. So that gives us some clue as to who these saints were. Perhaps this letter was written to a church in which Jude had once been a member; or perhaps he’d been there pastor. Whatever the case, this was a congregation of saints for which Jude had a unique affection. But notice that Jude did not simply say that they were “beloved” by himself, but that they were “beloved in God the Father”. The reason Jude loved them is because they were “in God the Father”; in His love. Jude loved them because God loved them! And that begs a question of us: Do we love whom God loves? Do we love our brothers and sisters in the local church? Do we love other genuine Christians who disagree with us on certain secondary matters? Do we love the persecuted church across the sea? Do we love the orphans and the widows? And do we show that we love these various ones by our prayers, and support, and so on? If they are loved by God, then they ought to be loved, by us, “in God”!

Thirdly notice that Jude’s recipients were “kept” for Jesus Christ. God was keeping them, in other words, from losing their salvation. They would appear before Jesus someday. So here is the doctrine of eternal security. True believers do not lose their salvation! But it’s even more than that. Because (see Jude 24-25) God does not promise merely to keep us from hell, but even to keep is from “stumbling” … and to make us “blameless” before Himself. In other words, God not only keeps true Christians from losing their salvation; He also keeps them growing in grace all the way until the end! He keeps true Christians living like true Christians – not in perfection, but in genuine growth, and continual repentance, and continued faith! So then, are you “called”? Are you one of Christ’s “beloved”? And is God proving His calling of and His love for you by keeping you walking with Jesus? Then the rest of this letter is for you!

Two Sermons on Prayer

Here's what we at PRBC have been thinking about lately:

Mark 9.29 - "Only by Prayer"* (and Fasting) - MP3
Luke 18.1-8 - Pray and don't Lose Heart - MP3

Enjoy ... and be encouraged!


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*The phrase "only by prayer" is taken from Mark 9, v.29 of the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ The sermon, however, is preached from the NASB®.

Familiarity or Faith?

Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James (Jude 1a)

Last week, we noted the amazing humility behind Jude’s self-designation as Jesus’ “bond-servant” … or slave. This week, we turn to Jude’s second description of himself. Namely that he was the “brother of James.” Jude was the brother, in other words, of the man who was the senior pastor, so to speak, of the first church in Jerusalem. The apostles had begun the church, gathering in five thousand souls on the day of Pentecost. But, as time went on, James became the church’s primary spiritual leader. And remember, this James was not only Jude’s brother. He was also the son of Mary and Joseph … and, thus, the (half) brother of the Lord Jesus Himself! And, if James was Jesus’ half-brother, and Jude was James’ brother … well then, you guessed it, Jude was also the son of Mary and Joseph, and the (half) brother of the Lord!

But it’s interesting that Jude doesn’t mention that in his letter. It certainly would have been a good name to drop in case anyone questioned his authority in the matters about which he wrote: ‘Well, actually, I’m Jesus’ little brother. So I know a little bit about that of which I speak.’ But Jude doesn’t do that. He never says one word about his blood relation to Jesus!

But why? Perhaps, again, this was a display of his humility. He didn’t need to name-drop. He was content just to serve the Lord; to be His slave … whether anyone knew that he was his brother or not. But perhaps Jude’s omission of the fact that he grew up sleeping in the next bunk to Jesus is also a hint that he understood that his blood relation to Jesus was not of eternal significance. I say this reverently, but … so what if Jude was related to Jesus’ biologically? Yes, it was a distinct privilege in many ways. But could being Jesus' brother save Jude's soul? Could it make him right with God? Absolutely not! He (along with his parents, and his other brothers and sisters) had to repent and trust in his big brother, not just be related to Him! Jude had to trust in Jesus’ blood, not just share its genetic properties! And so he makes no mention at all of his biological relation to Jesus … because that was not of paramount importance to him, nor even of eternal significance. It was far more important that Jude was Jesus’ willing servant, than that he was His biological brother!

And what a reminder that can be for those of us who, because of the biological heritage that runs through our own veins, have grown up all our lives practically in the next room over from the Messiah. Some of us come from wonderful, godly families. And, because we do, we have known the gospel message, and the parables of Jesus, and the meaning of the cross since before we can remember. And we should be exceedingly thankful for that, just as Jude surely was for his family background! It is a blessing to grow up always around Jesus! But that alone will not save us! In fact, Jude reminds us that being near Jesus is not at all the same as being His bond-servant; that familiarity with Jesus is not the same as faith in Him. And only the latter of the two can save!

If you’re reading these words, it’s probably true that you are near to Jesus in some form or fashion. After all, you’re reading a religious blog right now! So you’re probably more than somewhat familiar with Jesus. You likely know more about Him than the average Joe or Jane. But are you more than just nearby? Are you more than familiar? Are you actually His “bond-servant”? Is He your everything? Your only hope? That’s the question Jude had, at some point along the way, to ask himself. Praise God he answered it correctly! I pray you will, too!

Pray for Asia

Lost from HistoryMaker on Vimeo.

Jude: "bond-servant" and "brother"

Since this is the first in a series of devotional scribblings through the book of Jude, it only makes sense that we’d begin with a thumbnail sketch of the author … and even more so because that’s where Jude himself (like all the other New Testament letter writers) begins to put ink to parchment … with a brief personal profile. He begins the letter by calling himself:

Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James (Jude 1a)

As is characteristic of the letter as a whole, Jude packs quite a bit into a small space here in this first clause of his letter, doesn’t he? He tells us his name, his heritage, and his calling … all within the span of ten English words. And it’s quite interesting to notice what he says about himself.

Notice, first of all, that he called himself “a bond-servant of Jesus Christ” – a slave, in other words. Not exactly the designation that any of us would proudly have monogrammed on our personal stationary is it? It just doesn’t have the same ring as ‘Esquire’ or ‘PhD’ or even ‘executive assistant’! But Jude wasn’t evidently into important titles. He was happy to admit what he really was – a servant of the Savior with no rights of his own; no position of his own; no title of his own; and no initials behind his name. Just a slave of Jesus, that’s all.

And not only was Jude the “bond-servant of Jesus”, but also the "brother of James.” We’ll come back next week (Lord willing) and say more about the significance of Jude’s bloodlines. But, for now, suffice it to say that even this little bit of name-dropping (telling us that his brother was a famous pastor) was surely a sign of Jude’s humility. Some of us might begrudge being known as so-and-so’s little brother or sister. Many of us might not be content to always live in another’s shadows! It’s always easier to be Bette Midler than to be the poor soul about whom she sang: ‘It must have been cold there in my shadow’! But Jude was not ashamed to be known as James’s little bro. He did not have to set out and stake a claim to his own unique identity.

I’m challenged by that! Jude was a far greater man than me. His twenty-five verses of writing are worth ten thousand times more than all the millions of combined key-strokes I’ve hammered out on my Dell computer these ten years as a pastor. I’m less than nothing compared to this man named Jude. And yet I often find that I crave recognition. I like it when people know who I am, or think well of my position or education or accomplishments. But here I find one of the authors of the best-selling book of all time; the man chosen to put on paper the very words of God … simply calling himself a slave of Jesus, and someone else’s little brother … and being well-content with that! And, O, that you and I may be content with such titles as well! May we be content simply to ride Jesus’ coat-tails, to kiss His feet, to renounce our own claims and rights and personal glory, and to give all of it to Him!