Called, Beloved, Kept

 

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

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 

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

Jude 1–2.

In these opening verses of the letter of Jude, like any other letter, we can see to whom this letter is intended. Except that it is not to a particular address, city, town or group of people. It is, ‘To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ’. So, whoever is called, beloved of God and kept for Jesus are those to whom this letter is written - are you one of the intended recipients? What does it mean to be called, beloved and kept? 

‘To those who are called’. 

This implies those that have been selected, chosen and invited. Although those who have been invited may not come, so this is for those who have listened to the call of God and responded to follow. Those who have heard, accepted and are now living life showing who they are and who they are serving. God has called, have you heard his invite and accepted and followed or turned your back and walked away? God will continue to invite you to realise you are His beloved, even if you haven’t followed Him yet.

‘Beloved in God the Father’

Beloved = greatly loved, held in much affection, valued, prized, held dear. This is how Father God feels about you. If you are alive today, even if you do not realise it, or fully understand it - this is how God responds to you; You are His beloved. Held dear, highly valued and prized by God. Why not take a moment just to consider that.

‘Kept for Jesus Christ’

Not only have you been called and greatly loved, but you are also preserved, set apart and saved for Jesus. No matter what life throws at you, you are being protected and ‘kept’ for Jesus. God knows that His love and favour for us, and our responding ‘yes’ to His call will mean things will come against us, that’s why we have this assurance that we are ‘kept’ for Christ. Can you keep holding on through life’s struggles by accepting your call and knowing the deep, affectionate love of the Father? If you do, you will be part of the prize Jesus receives - you are being preserved and saved for him.