What does the Christian Life look like?

1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James:

To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.

2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Jude 1-2

Introduction

Kids today have it too easy. I used to go to school barefoot. True story. It wasn’t a hardship; It made playing soccer before the first bell much simpler. I loved it. Get this, we went to school Monday to Friday and then on Saturday as well. Saturdays were the best. We’d do art and crafts, learn life skills and watch the first team play sport in the afternoon. And the boarding school children would write letters to their moms and dads.

My dad kept the first letter he received from me when I was in Sub B or Standard 1 (Grade 2 or 3). He sent it to me this week. This is how it went: Dear Dad, Thank you for the card you sent me. I saw a film on weasels, minks, otters, and skunks last night. I stayed up watching Terror of the West. It was hilarious. Lots and lots of love, Mark.

I remember writing the note. I can’t remember the films. It was 40 years ago.

Now my letter isn’t a masterpiece (although my mom says it is), but it makes a point. Letters have structure. Even though this was the first letter I wrote it has a format. And I’m guessing you learnt similar letter-writing techniques at school as a child? Here’s the format: There is a recipient, Dear Dad. An introduction, Thank you for the card you sent me. A body, about the 2 movies I’d watched. A closing, Lots and lots of love. And a signature, Mark.

The epistles of the New Testament are letters. The English word epistle comes from the Greek word ἐπιστέλλω which means letter or message. Epistles have a format. An introduction – identifying the writer, his audience, and a greeting. A body. And a conclusion, often with a general blessing at the end.

Summary of the book

Take a look in your Bible at the book of Jude for a moment. This epistle follows the format. Verse 1-2 is an introduction. He introduces himself, identifies his audience, and prayers for them. Verse 3-23 covers the body of his letter. A call to fight for the Faith against false teachers in 3-4. A description of these ungodly men in 5-16. How to combat them in 17-23. Verse 24-25 is the conclusion – a rapturous proclamation of praise.

This morning we’re just going to look at verses 1-2. The introduction. And see three characteristics of the Christian life: 1.) A life of obedient submission (1a). 2.) A life of confident expectation (1b). 3.) A life of progressive sanctification (2).

A life of obedient submission

Jude, Judas, a servant a slave of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.

The letter begins by introducing us to Judas. All our English translations read Jude, but you may find it interesting that his name is in fact Judas. Derived from the Hebrew name yᵊhûḏâ. Ἰούδας in Greek. It’s actually a beautiful name. Judas means praise. But translators don’t use the name Judas for the same reason we don’t use the name Hitler for our sons. To avoid association. The name Judas reminds us of Judas Iscariot, the traitor. Yet, Judas, introducing himself, doesn’t change his name from Judas to Jude. Like Robert to Rob. Or Sibusiso to Sibu. Judas self-identifies as Judas in the original language. And so I try to acknowledge him as Judas too.

Who is Judas? a servant of Jesus Christ. Translators make our task of understanding the authorial intent a little difficult here. The word servant translates the Greek word δοῦλος. In other places, translators better render the word as slave. For example, in Ro 6:6 Paul says, You used to be slaves of sin. And in Ro 8:15 he says, you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. A servant is a free agent who performs a task for payment. A slave is completely obedient, under total submission to their master. As difficult as the master-slave language may be to us today that’s what Judas meant. And that’s what Judas’ audience would have understood. The Christian life is a call to complete obedience, total submission. Getting this language right is important to understanding the context of the book. Judas is about to charge false teachers as denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord in verse 4. To deny the Lordship of Christ over our lives is anti-Christ. Jesus demands to be Master and Lord over every area of our lives. He will accept nothing less than obedient submission.

Who is Judas? a brother of James. The James here is the half-brother of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Mark reveals that Jesus was the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon (6:3). James and Judas were one of four half-brothers of Jesus Christ. Together with his brothers, Judas had at first rejected Jesus as Messiah (Jn 7:3-5). Mark records that there was a time Judas thought his older brother had lost his mind (Mk 3:21). But, after Jesus’ resurrection, the brothers came to believe (Ac 1:14). Paul records that the brothers became missionaries (1 Co 9:5). Yet Judas doesn’t identify himself as a brother of Jesus Christ but a brother of James. Judas’ primary self-identity isn’t his association with Jesus by birthright. He relates to his older brother first as slave. His older brother is his Master and Lord.

Implications and Application

How do you relate to Jesus? Is it a family connection? Are you here today because your husband or wife brought you? Are you here today because your mom and dad dragged you? You are not a Christian because you were born into a Christian family. You are not a Christian because you attended church. You are not a Christian by association. You can only be a Christian by belief. Christians recognise the holiness of God and their own sinful state. They recognise their inability to escape from the domain of sin. From slavery to sin. Christians recognise the danger they’re in because it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment (He 9:27). Christians have looked to the cross where Jesus died. They’ve recognised that God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Co 5:21). Do you recognise this? Even now, do you grasp the holiness of God? The sinfulness of your sin? The certainty of judgment to come? The exclusiveness of Jesus as the way of salvation? But realise that you’re not yet a Christian? That you have not yet exercised belief? Then repent! Do it at once! Do not delay! Confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Ro 10:9). Have you believed today? Is this the day of your salvation? Speak to a pastor or elder after the service about your confession of faith so they can celebrate with you and disciple you. Anchor your identity in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.

Do you already claim to be a Christian? Come to church on Sunday? Sing the songs? Bring your Bible? Do your 1 hour of religious observance a week? And then step straight back into a depraved Monday to Friday life? Is your Monday to Friday categorised by sin? I don’t know what your sins are but the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Ga 5:19-21). Don’t be a hypocrite. You can’t claim to be a Christian but live like a devil. Consider Judas’ self-identity as an obedient submissive slave to Jesus Christ. Test [yourself] to see if you are in the faith. Examine [yourself] (2 Co 13:5). If you come up short repent from this double life you’re leading. You need a mature Christian to hold you accountable. Maybe a Bible study leader or an older Christian who can walk alongside you to disciple you. Speak to a pastor or elder after the service to connect with someone. Live your life in obedient submission.

This morning we’re considering three characteristics of the Christian life: 1.) A life of obedient submission (1a). 2.) A life of confident expectation (1b).

A life of confident expectation

To those who are the called, loved by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.

The letter continues by introducing the recipients of the letter as the called. The Biblical idea of called is synonymous with chosen, selected, elected by God (Ro 8:28, 30). Judas writes to those who have heard the universal call, the proclamation of the gospel. And responded to the effectual sovereign call of God.

Think of that day – It may not be long ago for some, it may be many years ago for others – the day your sins were washed away. The day you were called out of death and into life. The day when the great transaction took place. The day you were brought out of darkness and transferred into light. I can hardly think of the moment of my own salvation without a lump rising in my throat and a tear to my eye. The day you heard the universal call. The day you responded to the effectual sovereign call of God to salvation. That’s the day Judas is pointing his readers to. He wants to remind them of the day of their salvation. You see, in a world of false teachers and false teaching. In a world of spiritual warfare and fighting for your faith. In Judas’ world, in our world. When we remember the day of our salvation we remember that salvation is of God. And the knowledge that salvation belongs to the Lord (Jo 2:9) emboldens us, encourages us, enheartens us.

Who are the called? They are those loved by God the Father. This effectual sovereign call is a loving call. Here love is a verb. It is in the perfect tense. This describes an action completed in the past. A once and for all event. Those called by God are completely, eternally, consistently, loved by God. A sovereign love that God cast upon them before the foundation of the world (Ep 1:4-5). A love that they continue to experience into the present. And a love which they will experience into eternity to come. This love is permanent. This love is infinite. This love is immutable. This love could only have as its source the great I am.

Who are the called? They are those kept for Jesus Christ. This effectual sovereign call is a secure call. Here kept is a verb. And again it is in the perfect tense. Judas’ readers, called by God, and loved by God, are kept by God the Son. The language seems intentionally ambiguous. Different translations will translate it in different ways. Those who are the called are kept in Jesus Christ, or kept by Jesus Christ , or kept for Jesus Christ. All are possible translations. All are true. The permanent, infinite, immutable, power of God the Son secures us and He does this to His own praise and glory. Jesus keeps His own for His own glory’s sake. We have a confident expectation of the future because our future is secured by our redeemer King.

Implications and Application

Friend, do you hear the gospel call? Is it as if the Lord stands at the door and knocks? How will [you] escape if [you] neglect such a great salvation (He 2:3)? Surely if He calls you must respond? How dare you not. How could you not? Is the Spirit presently drawing you? Is the Spirit presently wooing you? Opening your eyes? Opening your heart? Granting you faith? Granting you belief? What must you do? Repent. Aware of your guilt, your sinfulness, your helplessness before a holy God (Ps 51:4-10, 109:21-22), take hold of God’s mercy offered to you through Jesus Christ, His perfect life, sinless death, glorious resurrection (Ps 51:1, 130:4). Change your attitude towards sin. Turn from your sin and turn towards God. (Ps 119:128, Jo 42:5-6, 2 Co 7:10).

Young Christian, do you understand the overwhelming and saturating love of God towards you? You have a Father in heaven who loves you very much. God loves you! As hard as it may be to believe, it is the truth. For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). Have you believed on the name of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ? Good. You will be saved. Have you received the glorious hope of eternal life through the death of Jesus Christ? Good. Heaven awaits. Do you understand the love your Father has for you? Good. Receive it and enjoy it and love Him back. Do you wonder does God love me? Look to the cross for proof. On the cross God [demonstrates] his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Ro 5:8).

Saint, do you fear death? Judgment to come? There is no need. You never saved yourself. Jesus saved you. He pulled you from the clutches of hell and made you fit for heaven’s glory. He who saved you will keep you. Rest in Him. You are kept in Him. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Ro 8:35-39).

This morning we’re considering three characteristics of the Christian life: 1.) A life of obedient submission (1a). 2.) A life of confident expectation (1b). 3.) A life of progressive sanctification (2).

A life of progressive sanctification

May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

The introduction concludes with a prayer. A short prayer. But a prayer. Judas lays his heart’s desire before God. This is so pastoral. So loving. He wants his readers to grow spiritually. This is sanctification language. He wants them to grow in Christian virtue. Progress in the Christian faith. His prayer, the desire of his heart, is that they’d abound in all that is spiritual:

What does Judas pray for his readers for? mercy. A good definition of grace is God gives us what we do not deserve. A good definition of mercy is God withholds from us what we do deserve. It’s God’s mercy towards you that He forgives you. He withholds the punishment that you justly deserved. It’s God’s grace towards you that He heaps undeserved blessings upon you. Mercy and grace are two sides of the same coin.

What does Judas pray for his readers for? peace. The word peace pictures a binding together of something separated. Peace is tranquillity, harmony, security, prosperity or wellbeing. We were once separated from God. At enmity with him. At war with Him. Now we are reconciled back to Him. There is a false peace that the world pursues, a man to man peace, or inner peace, they will not meet. And there is peace with God. šālôm peace. εἰρήνη peace. Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding (Ph 4:7). A peace that affects all my other relationships.

What does Judas pray for his readers for? love. We serve a God who is love. Love is at His essence. Love here is ἀγάπη love. This is self-sacrificing love. At salvation, God infuses His divine love in us. The is a verby love. By which I mean Christian love looks like something. It is active. It works. It is patient, and kind. It does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends (1 Co 13:4-8). Christian love, imparted to us at the point of salvation, looks like something.

Implications and Application

Now here’s the twist. You have already received all the mercy, all the peace, and all the love you’ll ever need at the point of salvation. How can you grow in something you already have? Isn’t Judas’ prayer a little pointless? Shouldn’t he pray for non-Christians who have received none of these blessings? Rather than for believers who have received all these blessings? Why does Judas’ pray that we’d grow, we’d increase, we’d multiply in mercy, peace and love we already have?

It comes down to knowledge and experience. Judas prays that his readers’ would multiply in their knowledge of the mercy of God. The knowledge of the peace of God. The knowledge of the love of God. Because the more you know of God, His person and His work, the more worshipful your disposition towards Him will be.

And the the difference between of knowing something and experiencing something is the difference between looking at a beautiful red apple and biting into that beautiful red apple. Judas wants his readers to experience in ever increasing measures the mercy and peace and love of God. Taste and see that the Lord is good (Ps 34:8).

Conclusion

The Christian life is not a static life. God doesn’t save you to leave you where He found you. The Christian life is a life of growth. Ever increasing. We grow in experience of Jesus. We grow in knowledge of Jesus. We grow in dependance upon Jesus. We grow in expectance for the return of Jesus. We grow in obedience to Jesus. We grow.

As we studied the text this morning we have considered three characteristics of the Christian life: 1.) The Christian life is a life of obedient submission (1a). 2.) The Christian life is life of confident expectation (1b). 3.) The Christian life is life of progressive sanctification (2).

That is my prayer for you this morning. That you will live this life to God’s praise and glory.

Amen.