Sermon Devotional: Our Promise

Scripture: Jude 24-25 (ESV)


At the end of his epistle, Jude takes his readers into a “big picture” perspective of eternal reality. He has drilled deeply into the presence of, and the temporal and eternal dangers of, false teachers who have slipped into their fellowship. Jude has been blunt. These interlopers are sexually immoral (vv. 4, 8), they scorn authority (vv. 8-10), they are “grumblers and faultfinders” who “follow their own evil desires” and “boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage” (v. 16). The situation is bad. Their presence is doing grave damage to the fellowship.

In verses 24 -25, Jude’s message changes. He draws back from the details of the messy, chaotic and dangerous moment in the church to whom he writes, and Jude says, “Nevertheless, remember God!” He reminds the struggling fellowship that God has always been God—from eternity past and through all eternity to come. The living God rules and reigns forever.

Jude begins his doxology saying, “Now to him who is able. . .” (v. 24). Who is able to care for these new believers? No god made of wood or stone or imagination can lead, protect, or rescue God’s beloved. Although they try endlessly, people cannot save themselves. Jude’s audience includes those people who are “are called [by God], beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (v. 1). The triune God who created them is able and willing to care his flock like the “Good Shepherd” cares for his sheep (Jn 10:11-14).

Jude goes on to say that the One who loves and cares for the believers is “able to keep you from stumbling” (v. 24). This stumbling is a “falling away” from God. This is what the false teachers are enabling and encouraging. Just as Jesus said to “remain in me [Christ]” (Jn 15:1-11), believers need vigilance, discernment, and commitment to God in Christ by the Spirit to seek truth that exposes the false teachings around them. The whole of Jesus’ instructions in Jn 15:4 promises, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.” The disciples are to take great care to be diligent to the truth of Christ even while it is God who keeps them from permanently falling away. God is ever wooing his confused people back into his care.

The One who is able to keep his people from falling away in this world will then, before the throne of almighty God, “present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (v. 24). Rather than the caricature of St. Peter reading a list of failures and sins at the pearly gates, Jesus will present God’s beloved people dressed in white robes, spotless from sin’s stains and blameless from the myriad ways we have betrayed our God, because of the Lamb who was slain (Rev 7:9). There will be great rejoicing when God’s people are forever reunited with him in the New Jerusalem!
         
Consider—
╬    Jude concludes his letter worshipping the Living God. “To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v. 25). Take time to consider each of these attributes of our triune God. The weight of his Glory, the unparalleled greatness and honor of his Majesty, the complete, unrivaled reign of his Dominion, and the eternal supremacy of his Authority over all things past, present and future. Let your heart, mind and spirit enter into this glorious picture of your God and Savior. Worship Him. Amen.

╬   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end! Amen. Amen.