Called. Beloved. Kept.

The book of Jude in the New Testament is short - just twenty-five verses. But it packs a punch! We quickly realize that when we read the salutation. Consider:

• We are called. From the very beginning of time, God has been calling people. In the Garden of Eden he called, “Adam, where are you?” In the tabernacle he called, “Samuel! Samuel!” In the wilderness he called “Moses, Moses!” In all these instances, the call of God was not only to follow him, but also to live in obedience and with purpose. Jesus calls you to forgiveness and faithfulness. How have you responded to that call?
• We are beloved in God. The Bible says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5.8). Nothing can separate us from that love (Romans 8.35-39). One day Jesus met a sinful woman who crashed a party where Jesus had been invited. As she poured out her affection, Jesus said, “She loves much for she has been forgiven much” (Luke 7.47). Having discovered that great love of God, are you loving God with abandon?
• We are kept for Jesus Christ. In September 1978, on a sandy beach in Sterling State Park, I asked Lana to marry me. She said yes! We did not get married until June 1979. But in those intervening months, I kept loving her and helping her prepare for our wedding (mostly by staying out of the way!) One day the Church will be presented to Christ as a beautiful bride. Until then, are you, as Jude says in verse 21, “keeping yourselves in the love of God”?

Called, beloved, kept. Oh, the wonderful grace of Jesus!