JudeShembull

Doxology

And so Jude ends where he needs to:

• Not focused on false teachers
• Not focused on pet doctrines
• Not focused on activities or good works

But on God's identity and His Glory.     

Who is God?

He is the One who keeps us from falling and presents us faultless...Unlike the gnostics who promoted a "pull yourself up by your bootlaces" self-help religion, Jude makes it clear that we need God. We can't save ourselves through positive thoughts and self-actualisation. Knowledge can't save us. 

Only He will present us faultless before God with a righteousness that is not ours, but earned for us by Jesus on the cross. It is not what we know but Who we know.

He is the God who can keep us from falling. He's forgiven our sin and His Holy Spirit lives in us to transform our lives and help us be more like Jesus. We may stumble, but through Grace, Forgiveness and Restoration we do not have to fall.

This journey is one of great joy. We don't have to live in anxiety hoping that we've done enough good deeds to "have St Peter let us through the gate." We live knowing that our lives are immersed in Christ and that His sacrifice was sufficient. As Paul says: "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

How do we respond to this God?

In unabashed, unrestrained and extravagant praise and adoration!

Glory!
Majesty!
Power!
Authority!

It all belongs to Him and we can be part of the choir because of what Jesus did for us, and that praise will endure forever more!

When the last word is praise and thanksgiving, we call this a "doxology." "Doxa" means glory/praise/honour and "ology" implies a "study of" or "study in."  Jude has left us a superb one.

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We do hope and pray you have found this series meaningful!