Our couple’s study is working on Jude, and I was struck by verse 1. “…To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.” This verse says nothing about our responsibility or actions—only the sovereign work of our Father.
“Called”. Funny that I have never heard a group of Christians calling themselves “the called”. It emphasizes the sovereign work and choice of God. God doesn’t call those who are worthy because there is no one worthy. He saves sinners. We will be sinners until we stand in His presence and this body of flesh is done away with. It is not about my works or efforts but about His mercy and grace.
“Beloved”. This describes our relationship with our Father. For some inscrutable reason, He has chosen to love us. He can’t love us more than He does or less than He does. He loves us perfectly and deeply. We are always on His thoughts and in His heart. I think we do a sad disservice when we teach people that our sin separates us in the relationship and causes the Father to be angry with us. We end up living as Pharisees constantly concerned that we are not good enough and striving to do more and be better.
There is nothing good about sin. Romans 6 gives 3 reasons not to be involved in sin. 1-We are dead to it. 2-God has provided something better. 3-Sin produces crap and who wants crap? But if we live thinking that less “sin” (whatever that looks like) makes us more like Jesus we are deceived. Walking with Jesus makes us more like Jesus. We won’t walk with Jesus if we think He has something against us or if we think we aren’t good enough.
We can’t move out of the state of being beloved by the Father.
“Kept”. People lose things all the time. If you are a professional athlete, you know that you are only secure as long as you can perform adequately. There is always someone younger, faster, stronger, etc. We are held in the hand of the Jesus, and we are forever secure, not because we can perform but because He loves us.
Letter from David Coffield.
J3Khai.fun 