Now Entirely Sanctified
Scripture:
Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Observation:
The doxology in Jude is one of the longest that we find in the Scriptures. Perhaps he felt that he had been rather harsh and negative regarding his concern for the false teachers that he concludes with this beautiful passage.
The theme of “keep” has been prominent throughout the letter. The Lord keeps those who have turned toward him, but he also “keeps” those who have done wrong for the day of judgment. The term here has the root of the word prophylaxis. For example, we take a vaccine prophylactically so that we won’t get a disease. The vaccine keeps from getting ill. Praise is given to the one who can keep us from falling — he is the vaccine for sin in our lives.
God’s people are able to stand “without blemish in the presence of” God’s glory. These are those who are now entirely sanctified, which Jude is saying is possible.
A doxology is significant, for the doxa or “glory” or “praise” must be present to make it such. Here the glory is to our “only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The emphasis is upon the saving work of God in and through Jesus Christ. This is the One who can keep us.
Jude goes on to affirm the attributes of this God who saves who has all “glory, majesty, power, and authority.” This isn’t something that has just been given to God, but Jude notes that in all time, before time, in our current time, and throughout eternity, these are the attributes of God.
He ends with the “Amen.” This is the strong affirmation of “so be it,” sealing the truth for all who will take time to read this passionate letter of concern for God’s people.
Application:
This doxology is one which we could pray every day. This is a great promise of a Savior who can keep us in this life. I love the imagery of the vaccine, because far too many of us believe that our ability to sin or not on a daily basis is up to us. During this season of COVID we have all discovered that there are behaviors which will lead to the possibility of contracting this virus, and things that we can do to help us prevent this virus. However, all of that is up to our own will power and just one day of allowing our protective barriers to come down — one visit to a crowded venue — can change everything.
We can work hard to try not to sin in our daily lives. We can work hard to make the right choices and not fall into sin. We can work hard to not go to those places where there is temptation but just one visit — can change everything.
Jude promises that Jesus can be our keeper — our phrophylaxis. He is saying that it’s possible to be entirely sanctified, even in this life. The presence of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit becomes the keeper, or the vaccine. When we have the vaccine, we still must be cautious about our behavior, but our protection does not come from our own behavior, but from the vaccine that flows through our body. The vaccine fights off the virus and keeps us from becoming ill.
The Holy Spirit has the power to keep us from sinning and standing before the Lord “without blemish in the presence of his glory.” That’s an amazing statement and I believe far too many of us are working hard to do this on our own. Have we really, truly, experienced the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit who can keep us? This is the beautiful promise at the conclusion of Jude’s letter.
What a lovely way to be entering into Advent. We have hope, because of the promises of the one who can keep us. Just as the new vaccine may take annual injections, we need regular infusions of the Holy Spirit. This advent season, may we live in the Spirit, and in the hope of glory of the One who saves us now. So be it!
Prayer:
Lord, to you be all glory, honor, power, authority and praise. Amen.
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