Joyous Jude

The last two verses (24,25)  are glorious. I have used them countless times as a benediction to close worship and send the congregation out with confidence in God's promise. TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING AND TO PRESENT YOU WITHOUT FAULT AND WITH GREAT JOY - TO THE ONLY GOD OUR SAVIOUR BE GLORY, MAJESTY, POWER AND AUTHORITY, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD, BEFORE ALL AGES, NOW AND FOREVER AMEN.  Oh yes. Let it be true for me. 

It never struck me before preaching this sermon how this conclusion is so vital. Hearing Jude's harsh words would have been so tough on this church.  These were warning words which any sensitive soul would have taken to heart, and likely felt they had let Jesus down in behaviour and thought. Some might have wondered how God could possibly be pleased with them. It is exactly this sobering context in which these words ring out with such joyful promise. We need to hear that there is one, and only one, who is able to keep us from falling. Living the Christian life in fellowship with Jesus is demanding. You want to stay close to the end but you cannot depend on others to help you. Not godly parents, a loving church fellowship, an encouraging pastor.  Nobody else can keep us going strong. Certainly not ourselves. There are times when we feel spiritually strong, standing firm, wearing the armour of the Christian fight.  But we know all too well how we can be hit by weakness, by spiritual wobbles. Like D.L.Moody said: 'I've been filled with the Holy Spirit but I leak.' Yes, it's very possible to fall.

That's why we need to hear these words.  It's not just that God is able to keep us from falling as we seek to trust him but that he is able to present us without fault. That's extraordinary.  No one knows more than us our sins of omission and commission which spoil discipleship but at the end, because of Jesus' love, mercy, forgiveness  we are presented without fault.  And oven more - with great joy.  It's all through Jesus' work on the cross and his risen power in our lives.  This is the hope to live by.  

On Facebook  I saw a quasi Christian motivational prayer:  Motivate your day. There's about to be a shift.in your life. You have been through enough and a breakthrough is on its way. Amen.   What dangerous horoscope hokey stuff.  Wishful self-affirming prayer!  We need something solid for tomorrow.  Only God our Saviour can offer future hope. Jude's ending high note should ring in our ears. .