Living in a fallen world is hard. Jude worked through a series of encouragements to a group he called “Beloved.” He focused on living in the midst of a fallen world.
22And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. —Jude 22-23
24Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. —Jude 24
Jude pointed the “Beloved” to Jesus to keep them from stumbling.
Jude pointed the “Beloved” to Jesus to present them to God faultless.
1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. —Hebrews 12:1-2
What does this mean for us?
Live in the
.
What “hard” do you need to come to grips with today?
Live in the
of Christ.
1He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. —Psalm 91:1
The sun was oppressive in the wilderness in ancient days. A shadow was welcome relief from the oppression. It was a place of rest.
Living in the “shadow” of Christ, we find relief and rest.
As we read this passage together, notice the “hard” of the fallen world Paul mentioned and noticed the path forward through Christ…
31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” 37Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:31-39