Sermon Devotional: Our identity

Scripture:  Jude 1-2 (ESV)

 
Today we begin a sermon series on the book of Jude. Jude is just twenty-five verses of warning that impending judgment is imminent because of the deceptions and compromises occurring in Jesus’ church. Jude will make clear that dangers to the church are found first and foremost within rather than outside the church. It is an important reality check for the church of Jesus.

But first, we have the greeting and blessing of verses 1 and 2. Jude tells us who he is: “a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” (v. 1). James is Jesus’ brother, so Jude is also a brother of Jesus. James begins his own letter in a similar way: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Though they are brothers to Jesus, James and Jude call themselves a servant. Rather than claiming the authority of brotherhood to Jesus, they claim the position of “doulos” meaning servant, slave (NLT) and bond-servant (NASB) to their Master and Lord. A bond-servant to Jesus is one who willingly, voluntarily, places himself under Christ’s authority as his devoted follower. No sibling rivalry or competition here. Jude and James declare submission to their earthly brother who is Christ the Lord.

Then Jude tells us who his audience is. He writes “to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for (in) Jesus Christ” (v. 1, ESV). The NLT phrases Jude’s greeting this way: “I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.” Three things define the identity of the letter’s recipients. God has called them, God loves them, and God keeps them. Each of these three is significant for Jesus’ followers in Jude’s day and also in ours.

God has called his own. By God’s initiative, they have been divinely selected and appointed for salvation according to God’s purposes. In Romans, Paul tells his letter’s recipients that they “are among those called (by God) to belong to Jesus Christ” (Rom 1:6). God himself has brought us, established us, called us into relationship with himself.

God loves his own. “God so loved” (Jn 3:16) his own that he gave us Jesus the Son. “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1Jn 4:10, NLT). The called ones are the loved ones.

God keeps his own in Christ Jesus. The word used here, from the root tereo, means to keep, to guard, to watch over. Jude closes his brief letter saying that God himself is able to “keep you from stumbling” (Ju 24) in the face of opposition, persecution, false teaching, and disunity in the church. In Christ Jesus, because of Christ in us, God preserves and protects his called, beloved people.

To end the brief introduction to his letter, Jude prays a greeting over God’s called, beloved, and kept people. “May God give you more and more mercy, peace, and love” (Ju 2, NLT). “Yes,” God’s people said, “We need that today!”

Consider—
╬      Jude tells us who he is: a servant and slave to Jesus Christ. What would it look like for you to increasingly know yourself to be a slave and a servant of Jesus? Consider what you would have to surrender to the Lord to more fully become his servant – control, independence, autonomy, self-importance?

╬      And Jude tells us three things about who we are: called and loved and kept secure in Jesus by God the Father. We thank God for the truth of this, our identity. Is there one of the three that you doubt? Do you know in your heart, as well as in your mind, just how much God loves you? Ask God the Spirit to help you “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Eph 3:18-19) for God’s people.

╬      Holy and loving Father, you have called us by name and we belong to you. Regardless of our rebellious minds and sinful hearts, you love us completely and keep us secure in Jesus our Lord. We need your mercy, peace and love today and every day. May you be glorified in your church throughout all generations. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.