May 28, 2021 -- Jude 1-2 -- Kept by the Spirit

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

May mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you.

Jude 1-2 English Standard Version

It is that easily overlooked expression “kept for Jesus Christ” that is the focus today. In order to understand the weight of it, notice who is inspired by the Spirit of God to write this letter. Jude (and his brother James) are half brothers of Jesus. Jesus is fully human by His birth of Mary and He is fully divine, as the Spirit spoke Jesus conception to life. Jude and James are children of Joseph and Mary, therefore, half brothers to their elder brother Jesus.

Through-out Jesus’ ministry the brothers of Jesus discounted His ministry. They were prepared to call Him crazy and take Him home (Mark 3:31). It is recorded “For not even His brothers believed in Him” John 7:5. Knowing Scripture helps the reader to understand how much believers are trophies of the grace of Jesus Christ, kept by the Spirit of God.

It was the Spirit of God Who broke down Jude’s stubborn resistance to the Gospel. It was the Spirit of God Who humbled Jude so that he could believe that Jesus is the One by Whom the Father’s electing love was brought into force. It is the Spirit of God Who kept Jude for the moment of new birth in Jesus and Who continued to feed Jude’s faith so that he would be a powerful witness to Jesus. Those who knew Jude before his conversion would say, “Jude, what, you believe in Jesus now?”

Can you relate? Your pre-conversion life to the life you now have in Christ? No doubt people who knew you before and see you in Christ have serious questions. It is the work of the Spirit to break down your stubborn disbelief. It is the work of the Spirit to bring you into the fullness of life that is yours in Christ. It is the Spirit Who guards and keeps you near the spout, where the blessings of God flow out and the kingdom of Christ is brought about.

Blessed are You, Father of Light, Who gives every good gift and perfect gift. Thank You for drawing us to Yourself in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Spirit of God Who keeps us in Your loving care until the great day when we shall see Jesus face to face and our lives will be displayed through-out eternity as the trophies of His grace. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ytJymjk9xk8