Called...Loved....Kept
Isn’t that a perfect three word description for us as followers of Christ? That is how Jude addresses the readers to his short epistle. Jude, the brother of Jesus and James (even though he refers to himself as the servant of Jesus Christ), wrote this short letter urging his fellow believers to “contend for the faith” because of the coming opposition and false teachers. But I have been meditating on those three words, “To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ...” all day and what a blessing they have been.
Called—Ephesians 1:4 tells us “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:11 goes on to say, “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” He called us, he chose us. It was all God from the start. I have no merit on my own that made Him choose me, it was a decision God made before the creation of the world. I like that, because since I didn’t have anything to do with being called, I don’t have to worry about doing anything to be “uncalled.”
Loved—Again back to Ephesians, “In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” (1:5) and “because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.” (2:4-5) He loved us so much, He gave His one and only son for us. (John 3:16) Feeling unloved? Look at the cross, what a picture of love.
Kept—Think about this long and hard, He called you, He loved you, and He keeps you. It’s all Him! Ephesians 1:13-14 says “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.” If you are a follower of Christ, you have a mark, a guarantee, the Holy Spirit of God. It’s a guarantee that you’re the real deal and once you’ve got that guarantee, the guarantee is never voided. Praise God for that!
Called—Loved—Kept—now that’s something we all need to let marinate our minds and hearts.
5 comments:
All that I have to think about on a daily basis is how much God loves me. – Job.
"called...loved...kept"
That IS some kind of wonderful.
Another great post,
and particularly, your emphasis that Jude wrote this short letter "urging his fellow believers to 'contend for the faith' because of the coming opposition and false teachers."
In the midst of what is now and what is to come (opposition and false teachers), we are "called...loved...kept."
That, that, that is biblical encouragement!!!
Praise you Jesus! The scripture is so power, direct, it speaks right to our souls! I absolutely love "Called-Loved-Kept" it reminds me of something that should be on one of those colorful rubbery braclets everyone wears! Great thoughts!
What an awesome Savior we have! To think that He does the calling, keeping and loving is too much to comprehend at times. You are so right we need to let this all marinate a while. Thank you for bringing it to our minds for marination. :)
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