“Keep Yourselves In God’s Love!”

“Keep Yourselves In God’s Love!”(Jude 20-25).
Today’s meditation is coming from Jude, the last but one book of the New Testament(NT). This one chapter book bears the name of the author. Not much is known about him, but he says he is the brother of James. Jude’s message is addressed “to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ”(1).
Some people argued against the inclusion of Jude in the NT Canon on the grounds that the author uses noncanonical literature. It’s inclusion – despite the challenge – can help us concerning the argument againist secular music and the use of secular literature in Christian circles. Content alone decides.
This reminds us that “Song of Songs” was accepted in the Old Testament (OT) Canon on the grounds that the love dialogue of the song was an allegory; depicting the love of God for his chosen and later on seen as the love of Christ Jesus for his Church. However, modern day readings does not see any reason for such allegorical rendering.
Jude’s letter is a warning to believers about certain men who had secretly slipped among believers. “They are godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord…”(4ff).
Jude then concludes withi an appeal, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in the most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternial life.”
Those who overcome the guiles of the godless should “be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
It is neither by might nor by power. There is One “who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy.” To him be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord…Amen.
Weekend prayer: Thank you LORD. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.