There are a number of reasons that cause people to lose their way spiritually. The book of Jude identifies some of the challenges the early church faced. Jude had originally planned to write to the church about their common salvation; however, he discovered that he needed to challenge the people to earnestly contend for their faith:

Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. (Jude 3)

What enabled Jude to maintain a strong faith and clearly discern the heresy that had crept in to the church and had now taken root? His divine doxology at the end of this brief epistle reveals how to maintain our faith in a sea of conflicting voices:

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25)

We see that Jude had a proper and lofty view of God. He believed that God is able to keep His people from stumbling. The word keep means to protect as a military guard or sentinel. Stumbling refers to falling into sin or error. Do you believe that God’s power can keep us from stumbling and falling away from the faith? God is able to cleanse us from sin so that we are able to stand blameless in God’s presence. The word blameless literally means without spot or blemish. Knowing that our sins have been forgiven is one of the great joys of salvation. This is the joy that David sought when he was burdened by his sin:

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:12)

Jude knew that God is able because He knew that God is supreme. God is our Savior and He is the only One Who can rescue us and bring us to spiritual prosperity both now and throughout eternity. The word majesty signifies prominence, preeminence, and impressive greatness as the King of Kings. Jude acknowledged God as the Ruler of the universe and that leads to God’s of dominion over His creation. The word dominion denotes the presence and significance of force or strength. It is the ability to exhibit or express one’s strength with no limitations. The word authority refers not only to the legal right, but also the ability to accomplish a task.

You may be facing a number of conflicting voices from the world around you. You can stand firm in your faith as you keep your focus on the greatness of God.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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