Introduction

The Epistle of Jude is a general Epistle which is packed with spiritual insights, warnings and exhortations.  Its message is one of the most severe in the New Testament. Some consider Jude a difficult book because of the extra biblical quotations in it.  Jude is not alone doing it.  Apostle Paul also quoted from heathen poets in his letter (Acts 17: 28, 29; Titus 1:12).  The early church  accepted the inspiration and canonical status of the epistle of Jude.  At the beginning of his letter Jude focuses on the common salvation of believers. Then he was compelled to challenge them to contend for their faith. This letter warns the existing danger of apostasy. Jude concludes his letter by encouraging believers to keep themselves in the love of God. God is able to keep them from stumbling and present them blameless before him.   

Authorship
Jude was one of the four half brothers of Jesus Christ (Mat 13:55; Mk 6:1-4).  They were unbelievers in the beginning (John 7:5).  They were offended at Jesus and thought that he was out of his mind (Mark 3:21). Jesus marveled at their unbelief (Mark 6:6). Only other time Jesus marveled was at the faith of the Roman Centurion (Matt 8: 10).  One wonders how Jude became the follower of Jesus Christ. Most probably he had an encounter with the risen Jesus like his brother James (1 Cor 15:7).   Jude identifies himself as bond slave of Jesus Christ.  He willingly became a follower of Christ and dedicated his life for his service. He also calls himself the brother of James. James was a well-known leader in the Jerusalem Church. Like Andrew, Jude was not resentful of his brother’s position.  Later we see these brothers were in the company of apostles praying and proclaiming the gospel together (Acts 1:14; 1 Cor 9: 5).  The seeds of apostasy were already sown in the early church by the false teachers. This epistle was written to believers who were living in the Palestinian. Scholars suggest that Jude was written from Jerusalem in the period of A. D. 67-68. Jude wanted that Christians should not be caught off guard when they face the danger of apostasy and false teachings. The danger of false teaching and apostasy is great today than ever before. But God is able to keep us from stumbling.

Chapter 1

Beware of False Teachers: Jude 1:1-4.
Jude begins his letter with warm greetings.  Jude was writing to believers who were exposed to false teaching and apostasy. Christians are the beloved people of God. They are are the called out, sanctified and preserved people of God. They are kept for Jesus Christ. They are called into the fellowship of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1:9, 26). They were also the instructed people about the danger of apostasy (1:5, 17). Apostasy is the willful departure from the once for all truth about Christ. This the truth about the person work and promises of Christ. Jude says he is a bond servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James. Once Jude  was ashamed of Christ but now he is willing to be known as the slave of Christ (Matt 13:55; Mk 6:1-4; John 7:5). He is now  totally transformed by the risen Christ and has become committed servant of Christ.  He became a new creation in Christ Jesus  Jude wishes mercy, peace and love to all believers.  These are the special blessings every believer. Jude wanted to write about the common salvation through faith in Christ to believers.  There is nothing greater than to be saved. It is a common salvation because it made available to all who believe in Christ (Acts 4:12; Tit 2:11).  It is also an exclusive message of salvation (John 14:6).  Gospel is the  powerful message that saves sinners (Rom 1:16).

Contend for the Faith:
Jude found it necessary to urge believers to earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all given to the saints. "The faith" is the body of truth given to the church (Eph 2:20).  Many false teachers have entered the church unnoticed to pervert the gospel of grace (2 Pet 2:1). The gospel of grace brings forgiveness of sin and eternal life. It also gives us a desire to love and serve Christ. The gospel transforms us from inside out. False teachers are hypocrites. They are professing Christians. They have a form of godliness but deny its power in their lives (2 Tim 3:5). They lack  the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Jude 1:19). They are ungodly and deceitful in their ways. Ungodliness always leads to immorality (Jude 1:19; 2 Tim 3:5). They misapply  God's grace and teach that “Where sin abounded grace abounded much more”.  They twist Christian liberty into a license to practice sin. These false teachers also deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.  They do not accept the Lordship of Jesus and obey Christ. They forget that only those who believe Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved (Rom 10:9, 13). The common denominator of false teachers is that they deny the deity of Jesus Christ.   They deny virgin birth, the bodily resurrection of Christ, and the visible return of Christ. Also they deny the infallibility of the Word of God and the blood atonement of Christ on the cross. They add to the Word of God and believe in extrabiblical revelations through dreams and visions. They misinterpret the grace of God. Grace is not a free pass to live in sin but to love and serve God. Jude gives a word picture of them in verses 12-13. They are dangerous, deceptive, fruitless, distorted and shameless. They are sensual and cause division among God's people (vs 16,18-19). Apostate can imitate Christians but cannot bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit because they are not born again. Jude was compelled to warn believers about the danger of apostasy to protect them from it. So Jude urges believers to earnestly contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 

The Judgment of the Wicked: Jude 1:5-7.  
Jude wants to warn that the judgment of apostate was determined long ago.  He give six historical examples of judgment from Old Testament to remind the readers of its danger (1: 5-8, 11).  False Teachers will be judged.  It is certain, and severe judgment. There will be no partiality with God.  It is going to be painful and real.  Though Christ and apostles warned against false teachers believers were not alert (Matt 7:15; Acts 20:29-30; 1 John 4:1). The false teachers have crept into the church unnoticed (1:4).  Christians must always be alert against false teaching and false teachers. 

Historical Examples of Judgments:

• The disobedient Israel was judged in the wilderness (Numbers 14:35).
• Angels who did not stay within their limited authority were judged (Gen 6:1-4; 2 Pet 2:4, 9).
• God judged Sodom and Gomorrah for their gross immorality (Gen 18-19).
• Cain who killed his brother Abel was judged (Gen 4).
• Balaam- the false prophet who was greedy and led Israel to sin was judged (Numbers 22-25).
• Korah - who rebelled against Moses was judged. Num 16. 
• False teachers are  not ashamed of their shameful deeds. Jude 1:13.
• They are like shooting stars that burns and end up in blackness. No use to anybody. Jude 1:13.
• They are grumblers. They brag about themselves and show favoritism to get favors in return. Jude 1:16.
• Enoch prophesied their judgment at the coming of Christ. Jude 1:14, 15.​

Exhortation to Believers: Jude 1:17-18.
Christians are the beloved people of God. They are preserved in Christ Jesus.  Someone has said "Preservation is the continues operation of the Holy Spirit in the believer by which the work of divine grace which God begun in him will be brought to completion".  What God started He will bring into completion.  When the kindness and the love of God our Savior appeared He saved us (Titus 3:4).  Salvation is a gift and initiated by God. There is no preservation apart from faith in Christ.  Even this faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:1).  Jude exhorts us to stay close to Christ by studying God’s Word and live in unbroken fellowship with Him. He is the living Savior and He will preserve us from falling.  Someone has said “You are not strong enough to fall away from Christ as long as God is resolved to hold you”.  God knows those who are his, and let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart  from iniquity (2 Tim 2:19). 

What is the antidot to apostasy?
Jude exhorts that we should “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (21).  Here the emphasis is God's love toward us. We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). This is how we can survive apostasy. Apostates are not saved.  They heard the gospel, understood the truth but ridiculed and rejected it. The apostasy is the defection from the once for all given truth (vs 3). Jude explains how we should keep ourselves in the love of God?

1. By building yourselves in your most holy faith. 20
2. By praying in the Holy Spirit. 20
3. By waiting for the return of Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 21
4. By showing compassion to the lost and by rescuing them from coming judgment. 22-23.
5. By having confidence in the saving power of the Lord. 24-25.

Keep yourselves in the love of God: 1: 21
Here the main imperative is  “Keep yourselves in the love of God". The emphasis is God’s love for us and not our love for him.  We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).  His love is eternal and never changes (Jeremiah 31:3). The proof of God’s love is clearly seen in sending His Son to die for us (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16;  4:10). Here we see God’s eternal love finding its eternal expression on the cross.  This love is not sentimental or emotional but sacrificial.  We can do noting to earn God's love.  God’s love is expressed through His goodness, compassion, patience and forgiveness.  God's love is better than life (Psalms 63:3). Love is the very essence of God (1 John 4: 7-16).  It is the greatest and the first commandment of the law (Mt 22:36-40).  It is relational and will produce grief to God when not responded (Gen 6:5, 6). God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Mark 12:30). Only a forgiven soul can appreciate God’s love.  They will love their neighbor as themselves because God has poured His love into their hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5).  Many Christians feel insecure because of the lack of knowledge of God’s love towards them.  God loves us as much as He loves Christ (John 17:23).  Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:38, 39).  In Worship we acknowledge God's love toward us.  His love enables us to submit to His purpose and obey his command. This also would quicken our conscience about the holiness and beauty of our Savior (Psalms 103:1, 2; 84:1, 2). When we respond to God’s love in worship, we will experience that love in life. Those who love Christ, keep His commandments (John 14:15, 21). We sin because we are not satisfied with Christ.  Though God shows tough love toward backsliders, He patiently waits for them to return to him (Luke 15:20).

God’s Amazing Love:

1. It is a providential love.  God makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good. Matt. 5:45.
2. It is the saving love.  God wants all to be saved and none to perish in sin. John 3:16. 2 Pet 3:9.
3. It is the steadfast love. Hosea 11:8.
4. It is an undeserving love. Rom 5:8.
5. It is the everlasting love by which we have been drawn to God.  Jeremiah 31:3.
6. It is the transcending love. Ephesians 3:19.
7. It is also the disciplining love. Whom God loves He disciplines. Heb 12:6.
8. It is an affirming and a relational love that believer can enjoy.  Can we slip away from God’s love?  The answer is, yes.  Father always loves the son but son slipped away from father’s love (Luke 15).  The Church of Ephesus left their first love (Rev 2:4). Yet God patiently waiting for us to return to Him.  Nothing more offensive to God than rejecting His love toward us.

How God’s love is reignited?  The Holy Spirit reignites this love. 

1. By remembering the Lord’s death regularly. Heb 10:25
2. By personalizing and meditating the Word of God. Psalm 119:18
3. By praying to God. Ephesians 3:16-21
4. By witnessing Christ to others. Matt 28:19-20 
5. By abiding in Christ and bearing fruit for him.  John 15:16

Someone has said “The secret of fruit bearing is abiding; the secret of abiding is loving and the secret of loving is knowing Christ”.  We are revived only when our spiritual passion is ignited and intensified with the love of God. 

​Build yourselves on your most holy faith: 1:20.
Jude exhorts believers to keep themselves in the love of God by growing in the most holy faith.  Here Jude is not referring to our personal faith in Christ for salvation but about the body of truth given in the Bible.  It is the most holy faith upon which the church is founded (Ephesians 2:20). This is a reference to the doctrines of apostles and prophets (Act 2:42).  Doctrine is the basis for Christian behavior and spiritual growth. We must grow in the grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18).  Salvation is a gift from God but spiritual growth is not.  We are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Eph 2:8, 9). Faith comes as a result of hearing the Word of God (Rom10:17).  It is the once for all given faith (Jude 3, 20; 2 Tim 3:17; 1 Tim 6:11).  Through Scripture, God reveals His mind.  Also scripture reveals Christ through whom we are reconciled to God. In the high priestly prayer, Jesus prayed “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). Truth is nonnegotiable.  Paul warned that in the last days many will turn away from the truth (2 Tim 3:3, 4).  There is great danger in distorting God’s Word to satisfy the itching ears of listeners. The prosperity gospel is a distortion of truth.  Christians must be diligent in rightly interpreting the Word of God to grow spiritually (2 Tim 2:15).  The believers who are growing in the faith cannot be easily deceived by false teachers. God’s Word should not be used for selfish gain. The obedience of the Word of God is the mark of true.    Jesus said "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free".

There are different degrees of faith.

1. Abraham had strong in faith. He grew strong in his faith and gave glory to God. (Rom 4:18, 20).
2. Peter had little faith (Matt 14:31). 
3. Jesus asked His disciples once, where is your faith? Luke 8:25.
4. Father of the mute pleaded and said “Lord I believe, help my unbelief. Mk 9:24.
5. Jesus marveled at the faith of the Roman Centurion. Matt 8:10. Mk 6:6.
6. We are invited to draw near to God with full assurance of faith. Heb 10:22.
7. We are exhorted to put on the shield of faith to repel Satan’s fiery arrows. Ephesians 6:16.

Is our faith in Jesus Christ?
Faith is the confidence that God will fulfill what He has promised. Faith treats the future as present (Heb 11:8).  There is an objective faith and subjective faith. The Christians are saved by the objective faith in Christ.  Christ is the author and perfecter of our faith (Titus 2:13; Heb 7:25; Heb 12:1).  Subjective faith is based on our feelings and emotions. Truth is not established by consensus. It keeps changing.  Only Christ is trust worthy.  Assurance of salvation is the result of growing in the faith.  If our salvation rest on good work, assurance could become nothing but presumption. The assurance of salvation prevents us from drifting (Rom 8:37-39).  We must grow in the faith so that we may stand against the onslaught of devil (Ephesians 6:10, 11).  The study of the Word of God is essential to grow in the knowledge of Christ (1 Pet 2:2).  It is the source of truth and it should be personalized (John 17:17).  It is the source of joy (John 15:11; 13:17). Happy are those who hear and obey the Word of God. The Word of God is also the source of victory (Psalms 119:11).  It is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).  The Word of God is powerful and sharper than two edged sword (Heb 4:12).  ONly it can divide soul and spirit. The Word of God is the GPS that gives us direction and keeps us on course (Psalms 119:105).  So we must believe it, love it and obey it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:17). 

Pray in the Holy Spirit: 20.
Secondly the believers are exhorted to keep themselves in the love of God by praying in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Prayer is our life line to God. Prayer is the declaration that we are not self sufficient and God is all sufficient.  We are commanded to pray in the Holy Spirit. It simply means our prayer should be directed and controlled by the Holy Spirit. "Pray for not our will to be done in heaven but God’s will to be done in our lives". It is not persuading God to move things on our way. Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance but laying hold of His willingness. Prayer is not vain repetition but the intelligent expression of our needs. Prayer is not to impress others or inform our needs to God.   God knows our needs and His ears are opened to our prayers (Psalms 34:15).  Our prayer should  include adoration to God, confession of our sins, thanksgiving for all blessings and request of our needs.  Someone has said "Everybody prays and there is no atheist in the foxhole".  Our prayer should not be irregular and aimless. Prayers are offered to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit assists, enlightens, energizes and endure us in prayer.  Prayer meetings are the most neglected and least attended meeting (Rom 8:26-27; Eph 6:18).  A praying church is a dynamic church.

How to Pray?
We are commanded to pray in the name of Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14). Our prayer should be in agreement with the will and purposes of God.  The ultimate goal of our prayer should be God's glory and our blessings (John 14:13).  The Holy Spirit helps us in our prayers (Rom 8:26).  We should pray with passion and in faith (Col 4:12; James 5:17).  There is power in prayer when we pray in faith (James 4:3).  Prayer changes things, most of all changes us. All prayer will be answered  but not according to our expectation. It could be yes, sometimes no and sometimes wait.  When God says no, it is always for our best interest. There is no promise in the Bible that God will heal all the sick.  Paul prayed for Timothy and Trophimus but they were not healed (2 Cor 12:9; 1 Tim 5:23; 2 Tim 4:20). That does not mean we should not pray for the sick. We must cast all our cares upon God because He cares for us. His ears are open to our cry (Psalm 34:15).  We must pray with passion  and in faith ( Col 4:12; Heb 5:7).  Many people are confused about Isaiah 53:5, when it comes to praying for the sick.  People ask, "Is there not healing in the atoning death of God?" The answer is absolutely yes. The ultimate result of atonement is the restoration of our bodies.  This will take place at the return of Christ.  Those who are saved have been redeemed from the judgement of sin and now being redeemed from the power of sin.  But our body is not redeemed from corruption yet.  When Christ returns we receive a glorified body.  Meanwhile we must pray for the sick and submit to the will of God. Jesus prayed “Not my will but your will be done”. Believers should pray diligently, consistently, expectantly and humbly.  God reveals His will to those who are willing to obey his Word (John 7:17).  God reveals his will through the scriptures and by the prompting of His Spirit and by over-ruling our circumstances (Ps 119:105; Rom 8:14; Rev 3:8). We are commanded to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Looking for the mercy of Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21.
Thirdly the Christians should keep themselves in God's love by living in anticipation of Christ's return (John 14:1-3). This glorious theme is mentioned at least once in every 25 verses in the New Testament.  There are more prophecies about Christ's second coming than His first coming.  His first coming was in weakness but His second coming will be in power and glory. This was confirmed by angels and apostles (Acts 1:11; 1 Cor 15:51, 52; 1 John 3:1-3).  Christ is coming to receive His own (John 14:1-3). He will be accompanied by those who have gone to be with the Lord before (1 Thess 4:13-17).  In fact the Bible closes with the glorious statement that Jesus is coming again (Rev 22:20). Christ’s return is our blessed hope (Titus 2:13).  We are going to be with Him forever.  It is also our comforting hope because we will see Christ along with our dear ones who went to be with the Lord before us (1 Thess 4:16-18).  It is the purifying hope (1 John 3:1-3). We will see Jesus in His glory. Also it is the challenging hope to live a holy and a separated life (1 John 2:28). It is a motivating hope to get busy in serving Christ (1 Cor 15:58).  Are we living in anticipation of the  blessed return of Christ?  It is interesting that mercy is mentioned in reference to Christ’s second coming (2 Tim 1:18).  All that we are and hope for is by the mercy of God.  If you are not saved yet, you must settle this issue before it is too late (2 Cor 6:2).

Do we anticipate Christ’s Return?
The Believers are just passing through this world and our citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20).  Biblical hope is not a wishful thinking. It is based on the resurrection of Christ.  Christ’s return is our blessed hope. The Believers are now only engaged to Christ and we are waiting for the full realization of their union with Christ (2 Cor 11:2). The Holy Spirit is the deposit of our spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:14). So believers should remain faithful to Christ.  Many Christians have marginal ideas about after life experiences. The hope of the resurrection of our body is not a wishful thinking.  We serve a risen Savior.  Disciples identified Christ, Elijah and Moses in their glory on the mount (Matt:17). They also recognized the resurrected body of Christ. Christ himself said that many will come from east and west and recline with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. It is going to be a great reunion where people will be recognized. For believers the best is yet to come. The study of biblical prophecy is not to speculate but to motivate us to serve Christ with devotion and anticipation. We will identify one another in heaven.  Some believers are confused about the statement Jesus made in Mark 12:25. “There is no marriage in heaven but believers are like angels in heaven”. Of course there is mystery related to this statement. In heaven we will be like angels. Angels do not marry. But heaven will be filled with real people, sharing their joy one another (1 Thessalonians 2:19).  Since many names of women  are mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11, we can assume that there will be male and female in heaven (Heb 11:11, 31). 

​SHOW COMPASSION AND BE INTENTIONAL IN EVANGELISM

Be intentional in evangelism: 1 Jude 1: 22, 23
We are exhorted to keep ourselves in the love of God by engaging in the rescue mission perishing souls.  It is the duty of every Christian. Christ is the prime example of it (Lk 19:10). It is not an option but the great commission. Disobedience to commander in chief is treason.  It is so sad that evangelism and discipleship have taken a back seat in the church today.  There are people out there perishing in their sins.  Many people are wavering in faith because of false teaching. They need to hear the gospel to be saved. Their souls are of supreme value to God. God does not want any one to perish in their sin. They need to hear the gospel.  There is no silent discipleship.  It is so sad that many Christians do not share the gospel with others.  We must use our time, talents and resources to spread the gospel. We are engaged in a rescue mission. The time is short, and opportunity will be lost. Do not be satisfied with your own salvation. Winning soul is not a gift but a command. Jude gives 3 characteristics of soul winners in verses 22-23. They should show compassion to the lost and dying in the world.  When Jesus saw people lost in their sins, he was moved with compassion (Matt 9:36). Compassion means to suffer. Christian orthodoxy without compassion does not do any good. People don't care about our knowledge until they know we care about them.  The motivation to have compassion is God's love toward us (2 Cor 5:14). Secondly a soul winner must have compulsion to share gospel with others.  He should not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ and filled with passion for souls. They should recognize that they are engaged in a rescue mission. Thirdly soul winner must be cautious of the danger of moral contamination while witnessing to unsaved because of compromise.

Christian means “Christ’s ones”.  Compassion means willing to suffer. The dying request of our Savior was that we should love one another and become His witnesses (John 13:34,35).  We are different in temperaments yet Lord wants us to love one another and fulfill the great commission. The world would never know we are the disciples of  Christ if we don't love one another (John 13:34). The gospel is the compelling message because it is the message of love and redemption. It is the story of God reclaiming the lost world through Jesus Christ to himself. It was planned before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Its message is that "The grace of God that bring salvation has appeared to all people" (Titus 2:11-12). The scope of the gospel reaches across the entire world. The substance of the gospel is the person and the work of Jesus Christ. The scope of the gospel is the whole world (Mark 16:15).  The gospel is too good to keep it for ourselves.  We are debtors to proclaim the gospel to others. We should not be ashamed of the gospel. Jesus said to his disciple "As the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21). The motto of  people engaged in rescue mission is “You got to go".  We are Are we  obligated to share the gospel rest of the world.  Are you eager to witness Christ to others? 

How to share the Gospel.

1. Evangelism cannot be reduced to a formula. One approach will not work for everyone. It is a hard and  challenging ministry. Evangelism can be done only in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).  It is rescuing people from the grip of Satan.  We have to show love, compassion, humility and courage in this rescue mission. It is sharing the truth about God and his great plan of salvation. Gospel explains what Christ has done to save sinners.  It invites people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  
2. Evangelism is important because souls are at stake, time is short and opportunities will be lost. It should be our priority and passion (John 4:35).  Jesus said to his disciples "Lift up your eyes and look at the fields for they are already white for harvest".  All our ministries must have an evangelistic purpose. Someone has said “Sinners need to hear the gospel and saints love to hear it.
3. Jesus is prime example of soul winner.  When the kindness and love of our God the Savior appeared, he saved us (Titus 3:4, 5).  Salvation is a supernatural work.  We are God's hands and feet.  Paul wrote “I have planted, Apollos watered but God made it to grow" (1 Cor 3:6). The ultimate purpose of evangelism is the conversion of souls. Our brilliant argument and cleverness cannot win souls. Only Christ can save sinners.
4. Do not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16). Always be ready to give a defense (apologetic) to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:15).  The gospel of God will defend  itself and it cannot be chained (2 Tim 2:9).  Someone has said “If you cut the Bible anywhere it will bleed the blood of the Lamb of God.  
5. The great commission can be accomplished only by God's power (Acts 1:8; Luke 24:47).  
6. Paul decided to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. He did not use lofty words, impressive wisdom, clever and persuasive speeches. His preaching was the demonstration of the Spirit and of power of God (1 Cor 2:1-5).    
7. Our great commission is to make disciples.  It’s strategy is given in Matthew 28:19-20.  

Keep yourselves in the Love of God by having Confidence in the Lord. 1:24-25.
Jude begins and ends his letter with assurance of salvation. Jude assures us that Christ is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before God with great joy ( 1 Jude 1, 24). Were it not for God, we would be falling from the grace every waking second.  Jude wants that we should find our blessed assurance  in the risen Christ.  The God who saved us is also able to keep us.  Jude gives us three reasons to place our confidence in God. First the God who saved us is sovereign.  He is able to save us (1 Thess 5:24; Ps 147:3-4; Eph 3:20; Heb 7: 25).  Secondly believers are eternally secured. He is the all powerful King.  Christ is the sum total of all that God is and does.  In verse we are told that believers are called by God.  The word called means summons for a purpose. We are called to be conformed to the image of Crist (Rom 8:29). Nothing can separate us from God and his love (John 10:28-28; Rom 8:38-39). We are the sanctified or loved by God. God loves us as much as he loves Jesus (John 17:23).  Thirdly Christ is sufficient to save us from falling. Like a mother cares for a child God cares and preserves us in Jesus Christ.  What God has done for us can't be undone.  What a glorious Savior!

Jude ends the epistle with a glorious benediction. 1:25.
Jude wants to give God all the glory, majesty, dominion and authority.  He is the only true God and our Savior. God sent his only begotten Son to save us.  He is the glorious God. God is the sum total of who God is.  Everything about God is glorious.  God's magesty  speaks of his greatness. Only God is great.  Dominion has to do with God's sovereign rule.  God is all powerful. Power means authority which is the right to use power. All authority is govern to Christ (Matt 28:18).  How can we refuse to love such a gracious and merciful God.  Believers are preserved in Christ Jesus. They have a great Savior who is able to present them blameless before the presence of God with great joy (Vs 25).  This is the most used doxology in the church. Today 2.3 billion people claim that they are Christians. Many of them lack personal relationship with Christ. Salvation is a gracious gift of God and it cannot be earned by good works or by heritage. There are only two kinds of religion in the world. One teaches  that we can earn salvation by good works. Bible says that there is none righteous no not one (Rom 3:10,23). The salvation is by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). We get saved by believing in Jesus Christ and in his finished work on the cross (2 Cor 5:21). Unlike heathen gods, the God of the Bible by nature is the saving God. “I am the Lord there is no Savior besides me” (Isaiah 43:11; Act 4:12). 

What is Salvation?

1. There is much confusion about God and salvation. To understand the gospel one must know who God is. Some suggest that God is a power. Others think that everything is God.  Many people think that there are many ways to God. These are nothing more than vain philosophical speculations which led to many religions. The fundamental question is who is God and what He does for us.
2. What we know about God is important. God can only be known by revelation. Man can never find God by his own efforts.  Unless God reveals Himself, He cannot be known.  God is the infinite being and man is only a finite being.  God reveals himself in three ways.  Through His creation, through His Word and through His Son Jesus Christ (Psalm 19:1; John 1:1, 14, 18; Heb 1:1-3). 
3. Bible teaches the doctrine of trinity.  God is one in essence but three in persons. This is a great mystery. Gen 1:24, is a reference to God the Father, vs 26, 27, 30 are the references to Jesus Christ and Vs 2 is a reference to the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 6:8; Matt 3:16; John 14:16-17; 26, 27; 15:26; 16:13, 140). The trinity is also revealed in the Baptism of Jesus and  in Benediction (Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13; 14). All three persons in Godhead are involved in our salvation. Father planned it, Son purchased it and the Holy Spirit applies it.  
4. God is revealed as the maker and the providential ruler or the universe (Act 4:28). History is the working out of His eternal purposes (Daniel 8:19).  Nothing happens without God's permission. Before anything existed, there was God. He created and controls all things.  He is the God of providence. He sustains everything by the Word of His power (Heb 1:3). God has a single purpose for you and me. That is to make us like His Son Jesus Christ (Rom 8:28, 29).
5. God is revealed as the author and perfecter of our salvation (Jonah 2:9; Act 4:12; Heb 12:2). This salvation is an event, a process and a future expectation.  When we believe in Christ we are saved from the penalty of sin (Rom 5:1). We are justified by faith (Rom 5:1).  Now we are being saved from the power of sin. This is called progressive sanctification. We will be saved from the presence of sin at Christ’s return (1 John 3:1-3). This is called glorification. Christ is our God the great Savior (Titus 2:13). He is perfect, He cannot sin. He is immutable, He never Changes. He is  eternal, He never dies. He is  faithful, He cannot lie.  He gives eternal life, it can't be lost. What a great Savior! Do you know Him?

                
Christ is able to keep us from stumbling: 1 Jude 24-25.  
The false teachers are apostates.  Apostasy is the defection from the once for all given faith, the Bible. We have a living union with Christ through faith when we get saved.  Jesus said “Because I live you shall live also” (John 14:19). This is our present day blessing. Faith in Christ assures us of our victory over sin and the world (1 John 5:4).  Believers are yoked to Christ and they cannot fall away from Him (Matt 11:28).  Christ is our great High Priest and he ever lives to make intercession for us (Luke 22:31, 32; Heb 7:25).  He is able to save us completely.  The believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).  This speaks of ownership and security. We are kept by His power (1 Pet 1:5; John 10:27-29; 6:37-40). Nothing can separate us from His great love (Rom 8:38, 39).  Someone has said “We are not strong enough to fall away from God as long as He is resolved to hold us”.  God is able to prevent us from stumbling.  Then why we stumble?  Because we do not listen to His warnings.  We rationalize our disobedience. We have a natural bend to find excuses to live in disobedience. The enemy will push hard to stumble us. But our Lord is faithful, and He will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to endure but provides the way of escape (1 Cor 10:13). God knows those who are his.  And all those who belong to the Lord will turn away from evil (2 Tim 2:19).  Christ is able to present us blameless before the glorious presence of God with great joy (Vs 24). Here blameless is a reference to a sacrifice that brings sweet savor to God (Rom 12:1).  How is He able to do that?  Because of God’s exceeding great power that works in us. This is the resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:18).  There is a future dimension to our salvation (1 Pet 1:3-5).  We have the promise that one day we will receive a perfect and glorious body like the body of Christ.  We shall be like Jesus because we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). Christ will share his glory with us (John 17:22). What a glorious hope! Do you have this hope in Christ? If not, why not trust in Lord Jesus Christ and be saved before it is too late?

Conclusion
Jude ends his epistles with encouragement and assurance.  He warns that false teachers will try to deceive Christians.  So we must be alert and hold on to our once for all given faith. Jude exhorts that we can do that by abiding in the love of God.  Those who abide in His love will grow in the knowledge of Christ. They will pray in the Holy Spirit. They also will live in anticipation of Christ's return.  They will be eager to witness Christ to sinners  and rescue them from eternal judgment.  In godly fear, they hate the sin and keep themselves from being contaminated by sin. They will put their confidence in Christ and live for His glory. They have confidence that God is able to keep them from stumbling and present them faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (2 Tim1:12). They give Christ all the glory, majesty, power both now and forever.  Do you know Jesus Christ?

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