Called, Loved and Kept

Called, Loved and Kept
Words of Faith 7-5-24
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Jude 1
[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.

The writer of this short book came from a rather unique perspective. He was most probably Jesus's half-brother. Most interpreters identify Jude as the son of Joseph and Mary, born after Jesus. He is mentioned in the Gospels but not as a believer. In fact, he was among those family members who at first thought Jesus had lost his mind. But clearly, Jude had come to know Jesus as Christ and Lord.
From this unique perspective, Jude wrote a book of candid warning. Written to first-century Jewish Christians gathered in small local fellowships, the book of Jude speaks to the same challenges we face today, primarily what to believe and how to live it. All believers must avoid denying Christ's lordship, following fleshly desires, rejecting authority, being divisive, and living for self.
Jude wrote with a heart of love and understanding and a note of concern and authority. He wanted to write on a joyful theme, "about the salvation we share," but was compelled to write a much more severe letter. His love for believers, whom he saw endangered by encroaching adversaries, moved him from the more pleasant theme to one of solemn warning. We could rush through Jude in a few minutes and move on to happier scriptures, but the few days we spend reading Jude will be more thoughtful and powerful.
Jude began his address in utter humility. Rather than boastfully claim to have grown up in the household of the Lord, he respected the divine nature of Jesus' birth. He referred instead to his brother, James. His relationship to Jesus, whom he now knew to be the Christ, was that of "servant." He was not about to fall into the dangerous ditch of being overly familiar with Jesus.
Jude knew that we who are reborn in Christ are called by God, loved by the Father, and kept by Jesus Christ. In that identity, we find mercy, peace, and love. What a magnificent truth to start with!
The words of Jude call to mind a phrase that used to be common in referring to a lady of the house who did not work outside the home and did not have to worry about anything. Such a lady was sometimes called a "kept woman ."The modern world views this quite differently. But Jude declared a unique relationship that we find in God. We are called "loved and kept." We are protected and preserved by the mercy and power of God. We are all "kept" men and women, teens and adults, boys and girls. What a powerful thought to begin with.

Lord God, remind me today that I am a kept person when things are busy and events rush along. I am a protected person. I rejoice in the truth that I am called, I am loved, and I am kept. By Your mercy and grace, I walk this day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.