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. 

Value your life

Some instructions from Solomon, the wisest King of Israel:

*7*Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. 
*8*Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. 
*9*Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. *10*Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. 
Ecclesiastes 9:7–10.

This passage may seem like a simple list of values, they are quite basic elements of life really. But, maybe Solomon is encouraging us to go back to basics to get the most out of the ‘vain life’ we have here on Earth. Sometimes it is the little things that effect us most either by their presence or absence. Amongst these verses I had 10 thoughts about what Solomon is advising us to do. Consider as you read them - Do you apply them to your own life? What difference would it make if you did?

1. ‘Go, eat your bread with joy’  - Be content. Give your body what it needs, and appreciate that you have it. Enjoy nourishing your body. If your body is satisfied then this can effect your mental and emotional state too. Take care of the body God has given you, and enjoy doing it.

2. ‘drink your wine with a merry heart' - Enjoy what you have. Set your heart and mind to be appreciative, grateful. Take pleasure in the simple things.

3. ‘God has already approved what you do’ - Quit worrying. You are approved and accepted. There is no need to worry about what you have/haven’t done, you are already accepted and valued just as you are. You are who you are meant to be so have confidence.

4. ‘Let your garments be always white’ - Be innocent. Don’t do things you are unsure of, don’t be compromised, but lead a life that is free from reproach. Live in innocence, don’t get entangled in things you know or suspect are not right.

5.  ‘Let not oil be lacking on your head’ - Hold your head up high, know your own righteousness, don’t live feeling guilty, but live forgiven and free from sin. You are anointed, you have been set apart and are of value and worth. Live life knowing that.

6. ‘Enjoy life with the wife whom you love’ - Enjoy your family and appreciate marriage. Take time to have fun with your family. Play games, go out, be silly and have a good time with your spouse, and if you don’t have one, do the the same with those who are important to you.

7. ‘Enjoy life….. because that is your portion in life’ - You have one life, so live it, enjoy what you have, eat, drink and be merry - take opportunities to stretch, challenge and have fun. God gave us this life that we may live, not so that we could be dull and bored, but He has given much to be enjoyed - don’t get so busy or distracted that you miss out on that joy.

8. ‘that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun’ - Your spouse and family are given to you to give you relief and enjoyment in the trouble of life. Marriage can be hard work, but it can also be enjoyed. The hard work of married life will be of benefit for the rest of your life. You have been given the family situation you are in for a reason. It may seem like hard work at times, but it can also keep you going in the toil of employment and life in general.

9. ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might’ - Work hard. Don’t hold back, don’t cut corners, have integrity. Work hard at what you have the opportunity to do right now. It may not be the dream job, the end goal, but don't lose focus of the value of what you have in your hands to do now. Do it and do it well.

10. ‘there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.’ - Ahhh, this passage ends with the joyous thought that we are going to die! One day this life will be over so appreciate what you’ve got whilst you’ve got it; Use the; imagination, knowledge and wisdom God has given you whilst you’ve got it. One day it will be too late to do so.

In summary - enjoy the life God has given you, appreciate all the parts that make up your life and know your value in it. Don't hold back in employment, family life or having fun!