As a brewing storm gathers on the horizon, I’m reminded of childhood moments spent eagerly awaiting the thunder and lightning. But the storm brewing in our world today brings a different kind of apprehension, one born of false teachings and deceptive doctrines casting shadows over my faith. It’s a time when fear, vulnerability, and doubt threaten to erode our beliefs, leaving us adrift in a sea of misinformation and moral decay.
Yet, amidst this tempest, we are not alone. Just as the early church faced its own trials, we too are called to stand firm against the forces that seek to undermine our faith. In the first century, Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, penned a letter that resonates powerfully with me today, offering strategies for resilience in the face of adversity.
Called, Beloved, Kept: A Bond of Loyalty and Love
Jude opens his letter by identifying himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, a term that carries the weight of deep loyalty and devotion. Though the word “servant” may evoke images of oppression in our world today, its true essence lies in the choice to remain in service out of love and loyalty. Similarly, as followers of Christ, we recognize that we have been purchased by a precious price—the life of Christ Himself.
This relationship, marked by sacrifice and love, calls us to surrender our own desires and align our wills with His. This involvers a daily process of dying to self and allowing the life of Christ to flow through us, seeking His will in all facets of our lives and finding our greatest fulfillment in honoring and glorifying Him.
Called, Beloved, Kept: Three Pillars of Faith
Jude paints a vivid picture of our relationship with God through three key words: called, beloved, and kept.
- Called: It speaks to God’s initiative in choosing and inviting us into His kingdom, emphasizing His grace and purpose in our lives.
- Beloved: It reflects God’s deep and constant love for us, assuring us of our worth and significance in His eyes.
- Kept: It signifies God’s protective power and faithfulness to preserve us through life’s challenges, encompassing spiritual and emotional well-being.
These three elements form a tapestry of God’s embrace, guiding us through the journey of faith and empowering us to withstand the storms that threaten to overwhelm us.
Mercy, Peace, Love: Cultivating God’s Blessings
Jude’s prayer for mercy, peace, and love reminds me of the abundance of God’s grace even in the darkest of times. As recipients of His mercy, we are called to extend the same compassion to others, cultivating a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. By embracing God’s peace, we find inner calm amidst chaos, anchoring ourselves in His sovereignty. And through experiencing God’s unconditional love, we are empowered to love others authentically, sharing the transformative message of the Gospel with a world in need.
Contending for the Faith: Upholding Truth with Compassion
As we face false teachings and deceptive doctrines in our world today, Jude urges us to contend for the faith with unwavering commitment and love. While the battle we have to fight may be fought with words and reason, our approach should be grounded in Scripture and characterized by compassion and respect. We must seek to protect the truth without harming individuals, engaging in thoughtful discourse and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Standing Strong in the Storm: A Call to Resilience
As the storm rages on, we are called to stand firm in our faith, rooted in God’s love and equipped with His Word. We can only do this together as we weather the winds of deception and emerge as victors, testaments to the resilience of our faith in Jesus Christ in the face of adversity.
So as the world spins further and further down the rabbit hole of apostasy, we must stand firm and contend for the faith with wisdom and compassion. We must gather together as a community of believers and find our strength in Christ. This is why the writer of the Book of Hebrews tells us to “not give up meeting together.” May God grant us the courage and discernment to navigate the storms of life, knowing that His grace is more than sufficient for every challenge we face.
Poimen Chris 