Doxology...
And so Jude ends where he needs to...- Not focused on false teachers
- Not focused on pet doctrines
- Not focused on activities or good works
But on God's identity and His Glory
Who is God?
He is the One who keeps us from falling and presents us faultless...
Unlike the gnostics who promoted a "pull yourself up by your bootlaces" self-help religion, Jude makes it clear that we need God. We can't save ourselves through positive thoughts and self-actualisation. Knowledge can't save us. He will present us faultless before God with a righteousness that is not ours, but earned for us by Jesus on the cross. It is not what we know but Who we know.
And He is the God who can keep us from falling. He's forgiven our sin and His Holy Spirit lives in us to transform our lives and help us be more like Jesus. We may stumble, but through Grace, Forgiveness and Restoration we do not have to fall.
And this journey is one of great joy. We don't have to live in anxiety hoping that we've done enough good deeds to "have St Peter let us through the gate". We live knowing that our lives are immersed in Christ and that His sacrifice was sufficient. As Paul says: "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
How do we respond to this God?
In unabashed, unrestrained and extravagant praise and adoration!
Glory!
Majesty!
Power!
Authority!
It all belongs to Him and we can be part of the choir because of what Jesus did for us.
And that praise will endure forever more!
When the last word is praise and thanksgiving, we call this a "doxology." "Doxa" means glory/praise/honour and "ology" implies a "study of" or "study in". Jude has left us a superb one...
| To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- 25 to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude1:24-25) |
That brings us to the end of our series in Jude. I hope you have enjoyed it!
