To Those Who Are The Called…

To Those Who Are The Called…

Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. ~Jude 1:1-2 NASB95

We learn, immediately, that Jude is only speaking to a select few people. He is not interested in speaking with the “great multitude”, but rather the people that hear God’s voice, walk with the Holy Spirit and that have found their identity in Jesus Christ. This is what is said, specifically, in the verses above.

Maybe Jude had attempted to speak more broadly in the past, we do not know, as there is only the one book but what is known is above.  This is important as we should spend time with others that are true believers. Not all the time, but we should, as the Book of Jude proves, we should spend time speaking specifically with our fellow Christians in order to learn new techniques, different approaches and what is happening in other parts of the community. By knowing what other true believers are doing we improve ourselves and Advance the Kingdom on levels we may have overlooked, may have not known existed or may not have come to us during our quiet time.

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. ~Jude 1:3 NASB95

Jude is asking those true believers to look around, who do you see in your midst, where is their faith? He is challenging other believers to open their eyes a little wider and pray in their heart a little deeper to seek God’s voice, feel the Holy Spirit inside and remember your Christ identity. Walk in those elements as these are “all handed down to the saints”, not the “multitude”. That is who you are…isn’t it?

Jude seems to be challenging all of us. Where do we stand, who are we and where is our faith. Why would Jude do this? Why would it be important to have us look at ourselves? Is Jude asking us to take inventory of ourselves, make amends to those around us and clean up our side of the sidewalk? You bet he is. Does he intended for us to call out those that have gotten off track, lost their way and maybe need some help with their walk? Yes, sir, that’s exactly what he is saying.

For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. ~Jude 1:4 NASB95

Maybe this book is not shared during Sunday service as it would drive people away from their donations. Maybe it would make them stop coming to that particular church as they were just challenged in a way that is uncomfortable. Is it possible Christianity is suppose to be completely uncomfortable? Is it suppose to be out on the edge of society making tracks and then move headlong into the heart of culture? Is it possible when we begin speaking about the teachings of hearing from God, being filled with the Holy Spirit and being identified by Jesus Christ that this might be a little uncomfortable, might make people look at us sideways – call the police and have us arrested? Where has that been discussed before? hmmm…do tell.

Outta your seat, onto your feet and into the street.

Either the Gospel is the divine Word of God teaching us how to live and how to be a reflection of Him, or it’s nothing more than a historical account of events.