Called, Loved, Kept.

Our midweek Encouragement this week comes from a mid-first-century encouragement penned by the Apostle Jude. Take a look at how he introduces his short but powerful epistle:

Jude 1-3 NIV.

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ:

2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

Written as early as 67 A.D., this half-brother of our Lord humbly refers to himself as a “servant” of Jesus. He also identifies himself with James, also a half-brother of Jesus, who wrote the epistle that bears his name. Both brothers had been radically changed, having seen the Jesus with whom they grew up, crucified, and then – resurrected! His brothers became His servants.

Jude does not name the church or the city where his reading audience was blessed by this inspired encouragement. Let’s go ahead and include ourselves as graced by the Lord through the

writing of this His servant.

Jude loved to write in triads. Scholars have identified seventeen in the single-chapter epistle. Let’s look at two of them. CALLED 🡺 LOVED 🡺 KEPT. And then MERCY 🡺 PEACE 🡺 LOVE.

The first triad in the greeting traces the way of salvation. (1) They (and we) have been called by the Holy Spirit out of darkness into the light through the gospel. (2) It was then by faith that we encountered the lavish love of our heavenly Father. (3) This brings all of us who are true regenerate people to rejoice in the security of our salvation because our Savior is also our Keeper. We are kept by His power. We are called, loved and safe forever. (Encouraged yet?)

The second triad reinforces the first, giving not only a cause to rejoice, but a call to stand confidently in a continuing walk with God in darkening and changing times. (1) Mercy is evoked over his readers, because they will need it. Things are changing. Jude will poor out his concerns for the shift among believers as he exposes apostates who have come into their midst, threatening the purity and advancement of the gospel. We are blessed today to have God’s mercy in a world that is denying Christ and attaching Christians more and more.

Then, (2) peace is offered as the spiritual fruit in our hearts which provides a shelter in the time of storm. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27

Finally, (3) the love of God which first freed us from our past, now sustains us into a future. Things may seem uncertain, but they’re absolutely certain to our sovereign God of unfailing love.

Now, I pray you are very encouraged. We are called by the Holy Spirit, loved by our heavenly Father, and kept by Jesus Christ, our savior forever. Stand firm to the end, dear ones.