HE WILL KEEP YOU FROM FALLING

Jude 24-25 Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

In his closing remarks, beginning with verse 20, Jude gives encouragement to all that reject the doctrines of men, and look to the true doctrine of God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. His message of eternal salvation is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:20-22). This foundation is the most holy faith each Christian is to build upon, in order to recognize, avoid, and expose the ungodly doctrines of all false teachers.

Christians are to always be found praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20b, NKJV), that is, praying in the manner described in the Holy Spirit-inspired New Testament word of God. The sword of the Spirit is the word of God. In order to spiritually wield this sword, we must do so with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (See Eph. 6:17-18). Doing this, as a faithful Christian, you will keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 21).

Consider the two verses that precede the lesson text. They teach us our Christian duty toward others. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude is not saying that Christians are to have compassion on only a few, but on all that have need of comfort and consolation at various times in their lives, such as being led astray by false teachers. By demonstrating kind affection for the needs of others, children of God can make a difference in their lives. Often shame fails where only compassion can succeed. There are times when a more stern effort is necessary to reach and teach God's truth to those that have been led astray. But only in kindness can we point out the fearful danger of their sinful ways. Christians must always remember that there is a child of God under the garment spotted by the flesh. We must love their soul and despise only their spotted garment of sin.

The lesson text tells us that only God is able to keep you from falling into the snare of the false teachers referred to in previous verses. Only belief, and obedience, to God's Holy Spirit-inspired message of salvation through Jesus Christ, is able to bring the exceeding joy of eternal life. Peter wrote that on the Day of Judgment, when His (Jesus Christ's) glory shall be revealed, that all faithful Christians may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Pet. 4:13). The faith that God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, will deliver His obedient children from eternal death, and into eternal life, is that forward-looking occasion that keeps Christians from falling away from God's will. It is also the only thing that will cause them to see their erring way, when led astray by false teachers, and return them into His fold of safety.

This was the exact message Paul delivered to the Christians at Colosse. To them he wrote: And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He (Jesus Christ) reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister (Col. 1:21-23).

On Judgment day it is necessary, in order to have a hope of eternal salvation, that all be found faultless through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. To place oneself in jeopardy of eternal damnation, by accepting the doctrines of men, over the truths of God, is to utterly fail His test of loyalty, trust, and love. Jesus told us that whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels (Luke 9:26). Peter wrote that Christians are to rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (1 Pet. 4:13). To God, and only to God, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Abide in Him; beleive in Him; obey His commandments;He will keep you from falling!