10.20.24. Called, Wrapped, Kept.

Jude 1 The Believer’s Protection

How does one encourage those who are suffering untold persecution physically, spiritually, or even emotionally. The first words of Jude give the believer in Christ enormous words from God as to how they are loved and protected from the evil one. Jude reminds his readers and us in turn: you are called, wrapped in the love of the Father and kept until the time of your departure. Each of these descriptions are words of encouragement in times of distress as these readers were. 

It is the Holy Spirit who calls us out of darkness into glorious light of salvation.He speaks to our heart words that tell us that from eternity past our names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. God calls and we answer, yes Lord. 

Secondly, Jude tells the reader that they are like a precious present wrapped not in paper and ribbon, but in the wrappings of the love of God. Wrapped has the connotation of being protected from the weapons of the evil one who seeks to kill and destroy. 

Thirdly, Jude says they are kept safe both physically and spiritually until one’s death date arrives. The evil one may seek to end our lives early but nothing will happen to us until God chooses that departure date. 

Be encouraged today as you ponder these words of Jude who loved Jesus just as you do. 

“The Real Christmas…It’s More Than Just Christmas Wrappings”

gift wrapping jude 1Jude 1:1 “The Real Christmas…It’s More Than Just Christmas Wrappings”

Where did summer go? Wasn’t it just Resurrection Day? But, here we are in October and the stores are brimming with holiday trappings. It won’t be long before we purchase gifts for loved ones and wrap them with care. Just as we choose with the recipient in mind, so God, in eternity past, chose us and then called us not because we were better or more handsome or some other characteristic but purely because of His love. Just as He told the children of Israel of His reason to choose them the same principle applies to us. It isn’t because we are more numerous, smarter or have more in other ways. No God chose them and He chooses us because of His love and His faithfulness to the promise He made.

Unlike the Israelites who were in Egyptian bondage to a cruel despot we were or are in bondage to an even crueler despot, Satan. Just as God planned their redemption so He planned for ours through His Son Jesus Christ who paid our debt on the cross. He redeemed us from clutches of Satan. And then just like a gift, God wraps us up in His love and keeps us until Jesus Christ either calls us home to heaven or He returns to take us as His pure virgin to the Father.

We are wrapped waiting that special Christmas morning when we will be unwrapped and clothed in our new eternal garments.

Think about this as you begin your “Christ”-mas shopping.  

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