September 20, 2018
I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:
TO SANCTIFY, SEAL, AND SEND
Jude 1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:
First, we are “SERVANTS” of Jesus Christ.
Jude could have brought up a number of other things to describe himself and even his accomplishments, but Jude felt his greatest description of himself would be “the servant of Jesus Christ”. That should be what each of us aspire to. Not our accomplishments but being a servant. That is what was most important to Jude.
Second, we are SANCTIFIED” by God.
This means to make holy, purify or consecrate; (mentally) to hallow, be holy, sanctify. You see, God has consecrated us. God has set us apart, He has made us holy. THIS MEANS THAT WE SHOULD THINK, LIVE, ACT, DRESS, AND LOVE DIFFERENTLY THAN THE WORLD.
* Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Third, we are SEALED” in Jesus Christ
We are “preserved”. This means we are protected. This means that Jesus never leaves us nor forsakes us. Jesus gives us what we need to be supplied.
* Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
* II Corinthians 1:21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Fourth, we are “SENT” by Jesus Christ
We have been set apart, consecrated by God. We have also been sealed unto the day of redemption in Christ. These are all things that have been done for us. Now, it’s time for us to do something for Him. We have been called. It’s time for us to step out and do something for Christ. You may not realize this as you are reading this but you have been called by God for a specific purpose in your life. You and I have been “sent” to be a “servant” for our “saviour”. God has “sanctified us to do so. And do not be afraid as you serve Him, because you have been “sealed” tightly under his protection. Oh, dear friend, God is able!