SEPTEMBER Four Wonderful Things God Does for Us (Jude 1–2) (2)

1. He calls us (1b)

Jude continues by greeting the recipients of his epistle: To those who are called (1b).

The word translated called suggests being personally chosen by God.

Jesus tells His disciples they would be loved by the world if they belonged to it, but they are no longer part of the world (Jn 15:19a–c).

Then, what does Jesus tell them (15:19d)?

2. He loves/sanctifies us (1c)

Next, Jude tells us why we are called.

It is because we are beloved in God the Father (1c).

Many Greek manuscripts read “sanctified,” which is how it is translated in the kjvand nkjv.

The verb translated beloved is a perfect, passive participle.

This means God’s love was made known in the past but continues in the present.

It can be literally translated “having been loved.”

This means God’s love for us never changes and never ends.

How does God describe His love for us in Jeremiah 31:3b?

Everlasting love means we can never do anything bad enough to make God stop loving us.

Isn’t that great to know!

If you are using the kjv,nkjv, you will notice the word “sanctified” instead of beloved.

The word translated “sanctified” means to be set apart to be used by God.

It refers to believers being separated from sinful, or worldly, behavior.

Salvation is instantaneous because we are saved immediately and eternally when in faith, through no effort of our own, we receive Christ as our Savior and Lord.

However, sanctification is a lifelong process through which we become more and more like Jesus Christ.

This process requires much effort on our part.

In John 17:17b, how does Jesus describe the tool God uses to sanctify us?

As we study and apply God’s Word, it has a cleansing, or sanctifying, effect on us.

Therefore, the more we apply God’s Word to our lives the more we become like Jesus Christ.

God calls us, loves/sanctifies us, and …