I wear two pair of glasses - one when working on the computer and one when reading. Sometimes I forget which pair I have on and things get out of focus. It is interesting to watch me work sometimes… LOL!
There are some passages in God’s word that really help me keep my focus – as a Christians and as a Pastor. One of these is found in the little book of Jude, which is just twenty five verses. It is found at end of the book and is one of the many beautiful doxologies found in God’s word. Jude says, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence 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 forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 24-25 NIV). I like the way the New Living Translation puts it, “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Saviour through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen." Talk about some awesome, encouraging words!
It is God who keeps us as we walk with Him. Through His word, His Spirit and His people, the Lord comes to us to guide us, keep us from sin and to encourage us in love and good deeds. I like what William Barclay says, “To walk with God is to walk in safety even on the most dangerous and the most slippery path. In mountaineering, climbers are roped together so that, even if the inexperienced climber should slip, the skilled mountaineer can take the weight and save the other person. In the same way we bind ourselves to God.” When we believe in Jesus, He binds us to Himself in an immutable, unbreakable Covenant.
Jude reminds us that, one day, we will “be in His glorious presence” as those without “fault” or “without a single fault” (NLT). As one commentator notes, “Fault is literally without spot or blemish. Above reproach. It was used to describe the absence of defects in sacrificial animals and figuratively of the Lamb of God as unblemished.” Our POSITIONAL standing in Christ presents us as faultless. It reminds us of how we are objects of His overwhelming mercy, grace and love. We are literally trophies of His grace. No place is more secure than to be in Jesus’ hands!
And it will be a time of “great joy.” As C.S. Lewis states, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” The concept here is of rejoicing like in the Parable of the Prodigal Son as the Father celebrated with a great banquet when His son returned. The idea literally, “means gladness or extreme joy, often accompanied by words and/or bodily movements, such as jumping, smiling, etc.” It will truly be a time of great celebration – “What a day glorious day that will be!”
As we close, I wanted to let you know that we will be taking a short, two week break from “Pastor Ralph’s Reflections” (sermons will continue weekly). May you take the time to reflect on Jude’s words and the marvellous relationship we have with Jesus Christ. May Jude’s words help us keep our FOCUS. Someone has put it this way, “Lord, thank You for the blessing of being clothed in Your beautiful righteousness and the promise that You will keep me from stumbling and present me faultless before Your Father and my God!”
Thank you JESUS!
God bless you. May His love encourage you this week and in the weeks to come – Pastor Ralph
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