Now to him who is
able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the
presence of his glory with great joy, 25
to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory,
majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
THE STUDY:
Jude's lengthy description and
warning of the false teachers must have cast a dark and dreadful cloud over his
readers. But his doxology lifts their attention to the triumphant One: To him who is able. The focus of the
doxology is on God. Jude directs his readers’ attention to two things God is able to do. Today we will be looking
at the first one.
The first thing God is able to do
is keep you from stumbling. The theme
of “keeping” is prominent throughout
the letter. Jude expresses this in a positive and a negative way. Positively,
Jude affirms that believers are “kept by
Jesus Christ” (v 1). In response, believers must also “keep” themselves “in God’s
love” (v 21). Negatively, Jude uses the same verb (tēreō) to underscore the certainty that
God keeps sinners for judgment (vv 6,
13). In his doxology, Jude reiterates God’s positive keeping power with a new verb that affirms the power of God to keep (phylaxai: guard) believers from falling. This Greek word conveys
the image of “standing guard,” kept in protective custody. Stumbling (aptaistous)
refers to falling into sin (Jas 3:2).
The metaphor to keep you from stumbling is probably derived from the psalmist,
who often describes the disasters that would befall believers if God did not
prevent their feet from stumbling or slipping (Pss 38:16; 56:13; 66:9). God is
powerful enough to protect Christians from falling into the sinful ways of the
false teachers. God keeps them so that they may attain final salvation.[1]
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away with the understanding that “GOD IS ABLE!” He is able to protect the believers (keeping us from the snares of the demonic forces). He will also “STAND” guard. The scripture says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Duet. 31:6)
APPLICATION:
I remember when my children were born. This
was a wonderful time as we sat in that delivery room replaying in our mind the miracle that
had just taken place. I remember looking at my wife and saying, “Get some rest,
Let the nurses take care of the baby for right now.” I would sit and hold them in my arms and when the nurses would walk in and I would hand the new-born over
to them and sit back in the chair and go to sleep. We were able to do this because
we had faith and trust in the staff at the hospital. I knew they were able to handle
anything that may arise.
Excitement filled our hearts as we
were leaving the hospital. But as my wife was being wheeled out to the car, all
of the security (Faith and trust) left me. I started thinking, “no more nurses to take the child
when we needed some rest.” Questions started flooding my mind: what if
something bad was to happen? It was then I was reminded of Duet. 31:6! Be
strong and courageous because my God will not leave me. Security and peace came rushing back and we knew everything was going to be fine because
God is able!
Today, maybe you are in a situation
where you feel weak or fearful. Let this devotional be an encouragement for you
to be strong and courageous. No matter what you are going through, our God is
able!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2
Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible
Commentary (300). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
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