KEPT FROM STUMBLING AND FALLING

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” – Jude 24

In the Pursuit of Perfection, we are KEPT FROM STUMBLING and FALLING by the Power of the Highest: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 1: 24-25). The world that we live in is filled with filth and temptation, and many are prone to stumble and fall. However, Jude wrote a letter of encouragement, warning us to keep our attention fastened on the Lord and to be steadfast and live holy lives despite the floods of falsehood.

This letter was written to fellow believers, whom Jude addressed as “friends” or “beloved” (vv.3, 17, 20). He had wanted to write about salvation, but felt compelled to write about the need to contend for the faith (v.3). It seems there were false converts within the church who were perverting the grace of God (v.4). Jude exposed some of the evils of these false believers, comparing their actions to other historical apostates or rebellions, and warned that they’ll not escape judgment (vv.5-15). Jude then exhorted the believers to continue in the faith, knowing by prophecy that “there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts” (v.18). Rather than be swept off by the deception of the false teachers among them, they should continue to grow in the faith (vv.20-21).

Primary to the Pursuit of Perfection is the need to build ourselves up on our most holy faith “praying in the Holy Spirit” (v.21). The epistle ends with the two-versed doxology which affirms that God is able to keep us from falling. Though Jude taught the brethren, “keep yourselves in God’s love” (v.21), he also affirmed that it is God who keeps us. Our righteousness does not come from ourselves, but from God. We are to contend for the faith and persist; but ultimately, our security does not rest on us. We need not fear that we will fall away from God, for it is He who keeps us upright. We rely on His power, not ours.

Jude in this song of praise presents the wonderful message of the gospel in three parts: God will guard us against falling; present us before judgment faultless; and that with tremendous joy. He is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us faultless “before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (v. 24, KJV). Amid all the pitfalls of this world, including pervading perversions and false teaching rampant everywhere, our Saviour is able to keep us from sin and error. God is able to preserve His own, such that one day we’ll stand in His Presence fully sanctified and blameless: “to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Col.1:22).

Irrespective of adversities or circumstances, God is faithful and able to keep us in His grip and present us blameless: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (Jh.10: 28-30). We must beware and avoid the rising and falling mentality. God doesn’t wish to just pick us up each time we fall; He actually keeps us from falling! Paul expressed his confidence “that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil.1:6). Not only can He keep us, but He does it with exceeding joy. This is why we praise Him so greatly.

Beloved, let’s keep our gaze upon Him that is able to keep us from backsliding, stumbling or falling! Say with me: “The Lord will keep me from falling; none of my steps shall slide. I stand steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Alleluia!”