GOD IS ABLE SERIES
GOD IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING
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 – Jude 1:24
In some families there is usually that one member who takes the longest to come to faith in Christ, for whatever reason, but when they do, they become one of the most passionate followers of Jesus Christ.
Such was Jude, the son of Mary and Joseph and the half-brother of Jesus, he did not come to saving faith until after Jesus’ resurrection, but once he became a believer he was a committed bold defender of the faith. He wrote to motivate Christians everywhere to action. He wanted them to recognize the dangers of false teachings, so that they could protect themselves and other believers, and to win back those who had already been deceived.
Jude was writing against godless teachers who were saying that Christians could do as they pleased with impunity – without fear of God’s punishment. They used the grace of God to justify a permissive lifestyle. In his short book, he pointedly identifies false teachers as such: they creep in unawares, secretly; they bring false doctrine and live in sin…
In my book ‘Exposing the Spirit of Deception’ based on Joshua 9, I shared in detail how the Gibeonites wormed their way into the Israelite camp and deceived Joshua and his leaders. In the same way these imposters work their way into hearts and lives of believers.
I have read some of the most absurd articles about the conduct of so-called believers in recent times, and it makes me wonder if I am reading correctly. Now these types of behaviors didn’t come over night; they surreptitiously worked their way in slowly, one little lie after another, and before you knew it they were into full-blown heresy and heretical doctrines and sinful lifestyles. The book of Jude could have well been written for the church of Jesus Christ today!
But in the midst of this Jude tells believers to contend earnestly for the faith, to defend God’s truth and the body of doctrine the New Testament, which he calls the faith (Jude 1:3). We are to be soldiers who hold the fort of truth and righteousness at all cost. We are to pray and look for Christ’s return, to be merciful to those who are confused, and save the deceived. All the while keeping ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27)
I guess you may say if this is happening in such a rapid way who is safe from this onslaught of unrighteousness and deception? But Jude closes his strong warning with a beautiful benediction, and heart-warming encouragement, emphasizing the power of Christ to keep His own.
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 – Jude 1:24
He is able to keep you from falling, that word ‘falling’ means stumbling. He is able to keep you standing firm and not fall into sin. God has a personal interest in your preservation – He has a vested interest in you. His death on the cross was His investment. Apostle Paul said,
And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight – Colossians 1:21-22
Ephesians 5:26-27 Paul paints a clearer picture of Christ’s relation with you and me. As the woman is the spouse of the man so the Church is represented as the spouse of Christ. Christ intends to make us a present to Himself – a faithful Bride – and thus He is able to keep those who stand for the faith:
That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. –
Be reminded that our ability to live holy lives; the ability to resist falling into heresy and sin, ultimately depends on the One who can present us faultless before God. He is the One who has the power to keep. That takes the pressure off of us; as we yield continually to His Spirit and obey His Word; more and more of His keeping power is activated in our lives. We do not keep ourselves, Christ keeps His own and He keeps us to the very end.
You need not fear that somehow the devil is going to jump on you and carry you away with false doctrines etc. No! God is able to perform what He promised, to keep you on your feet, standing tall in His bright presence, fresh and celebrating (Jude 1:24 MSG). Hallelujah!
© Linda P. Jones (Rev.)
Copyright 2021 Linda P. Jones Ministries. All rights reserved
