JUDE 24-25 – 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, 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.”
THEME OF THE DAY: GOD’S KEEPING GRACE. Aren’t we so glad that today’s scripture and theme of the day are true? You might be familiar with the hymn under the title He Will Hold Me Fast by Keith and Kristyn Getty. The first line and refrain read, When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast. When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold Through life’s fearful path. For my love is often cold. He must hold me fast. He will hold me fast. He will hold me fast. For my Saviour loves me so. He will hold me fast. It is a beautiful hymn rich in truth and overflowing with encouragement.
In today’s scripture, we have the wonderful instruction that teaches us about God’s grace that goes beyond saving us. We may identify three other applications of God’s amazing grace in Jude’s words.
First, God’s grace is keeping grace – Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling. There are times in the Christian life when we just don’t feel like we are going to make it another day. Temptations are intense. Trials overwhelming. Satan’s fiery darts are just that – fiery, and life’s circumstances are suffocating us. And yet, we do make it. We do preserve in the faith another day, and it is not because of our preserving efforts but God’s keeping grace. Don’t focus so much on our grip on the Lord. It often feels like we are slipping. Keep looking at His grip on us. He won’t let go. He will hold us fast.
Next, God’s grace is presenting grace – 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. The chief reason why God is holding us fast is because of the work He started in us – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). What God starts, God finishes. There are no “stacks of unread books” before the throne in heaven. There are no unfinished projects laying around God’s earth He is leaving unfinished. And there is no child of His that will fail to be finally and forever conformed into the image of the Lord Jesus. He will do the work in this life and present us to Himself as “trophies of His grace” (Ephesians 1:3-14). Why? Presenting grace.
Finally, God’s grace is glorifying grace – 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, 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 whole of creation, to include us, is to reflect the glory of God and bring glory to Him. The Apostle Paul would recognize this truth in one of the great benedictions in the Bible – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever (Romans 11:36). Not only is this our purpose in life but will be our privilege throughout eternity – to be in the presence of God, enjoying His glory and glorifying Him – Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world (John 17:24).
So, the next time we marvel over God’s amazing grace that saves us, let’s stop and praise Him also for His keeping, presenting, and glorifying grace as well!
PRAYER: “God’s grace is not only saving grace but keeping grace as well.”
QUOTE: “God will hold us fast and it is a hold that cannot be broken by the devil, the world, even ourselves.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim