Being Confident about our Identity (Part 2)

Introduction

Jude has introduced himself as “the slave of Jesus Christ.”

It demonstrates:

A healthy understanding of God’s supremacy. (It puts God in the place He deserves).

A sound view of salvation. Believing in Jesus subjects us to the lordship of Jesus and transfers us from being slaves to sin to being slaves of God.

Judes’ authenticity in writing. Through his description, Jude contrasts himself with the false teachers who deny Jesus’ authority and lordship.

What we learn today will be foundational for the appeal of the letter.

From God’s perspective, the identity of his people has always mattered.

Because of our known identity with Him, we have God-given responsibilities to fulfill and contrasts to make with the world.

Being a believer is not about our political stance. It is about manifesting the identity of God to the world.

Lazy congregations open themselves up to those who would twist the view of what association with God means.

Love of God must be supreme to us. (Love of people or love of God?)

Confident in our position

Jude refers to his audience as “called ones” and then describes them in two important ways.

“Called ones” whether singular or plural is a term only appearing 10 times in all the New Testament. It does not occur that often. there is a consistent use of it, when it does appear, as a descriptor of those have been persuaded of the truthfulness of the Gospel and thus of the efficacy of the crucifixion of Jesus, the historical reality of his resurrection, and theological implications of both, namely, that Jesus is the Son of God.

Romans 1:6-7

Romans 8:28

1 Cor. 1:24

Rev. 17:14

There is a consistent use of it, when it does appear, as a descriptor of those have been persuaded of the truthfulness of the Gospel and thus of the efficacy of the crucifixion of Jesus, the historical reality of his resurrection, and theological implications of both, namely, that Jesus is the Son of God. It also implies a distinct way of living based upon identification with God through Christ.

Jude describes his recipients in two important ways.

“being loved in God” seems to suggest two things.

First, we can know that in God we have been loved and we stand loved.

There is permanency and consistency here. We may feel loved, we may not experience love in the world.

But, despite our feelings, our circumstances, or the world’s hatred, we may rest assured of God’s love for us.

Second, only believers in Jesus Christ have come to understand that God loves us.

Col. 3:12

1 Thess. 1:42

Thess. 2:13

Ro. 1:7

1 John 4

Ro. 5

“having been kept” in Jesus Christ.Our position as “called ones” is permanent.

As called ones, we know we have been loved by God, and we know that we have been preserved or kept in Christ.

Why are Jude’s descriptions important?

They provide a reminder of position.They establish the permanent relationship that exists between God and those who “are called.”

They explain why Jude will call them to the fight.

Notice that the struggle will not be for their personal salvation. Rather, it will be for what the faith is. What is true? How do people who are loved by God and kept by Christ act?