GOD'S UNSPEAKABLE JOY
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy...Jude 24, N.I.V.
If you want to divide a group of believers, just ask the question "Can you stop sinning?" Even the Yeses and the Nos will be divided because of all the various ideas at large on the subject. To some it depends upon whether you are talking about "known sins." To others the issue is the forensic quality of justification by faith. To those who struggle daily against inward and outward evil, the question seems laced with awful hopelessness. To Paul, it was a matter of rejoicing.
What does it mean to stop sinning? If our focus is upon behavior, we might argue endlessly. If our emphasis is upon legal metaphor, we can sterilize the framework of vital spirituality until it is inoperative. However, if we are looking at our relationship with God, Paul's attitude is most encouraging.
Since sin is the word used to describe the broken relationship between God and humanity, then let us rephrase the question accordingly: "Can your broken relationship with God be totally healed?" The answer is thrilling--"Absolutely!" And in case there is any doubt as to how this is to be accomplished, today's text declares that God is "able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy." God is able to heal our broken relationship--and keep it healed! Our friendship with Him puts us "above reproach" (N.E.B.) in His own eyes and in the eyes of the whole universe. And all of this brings Him "unspeakable joy" (Phillips)!
Does this bring tangible results to our lives this side of the kingdom? "Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him" (1 John 4:17, N.I.V.). To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to be made like Him. As our confidence grows in who He is, and that He has called us His friends, we are progressively set free from self-seeking, that quality displayed in insecure and unloved individuals.
Friends, let us leave the past behind and "with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead...go straight for the goal--my reward the honour of my high calling by God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14, Phillips).
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy...Jude 24, N.I.V.
If you want to divide a group of believers, just ask the question "Can you stop sinning?" Even the Yeses and the Nos will be divided because of all the various ideas at large on the subject. To some it depends upon whether you are talking about "known sins." To others the issue is the forensic quality of justification by faith. To those who struggle daily against inward and outward evil, the question seems laced with awful hopelessness. To Paul, it was a matter of rejoicing.
What does it mean to stop sinning? If our focus is upon behavior, we might argue endlessly. If our emphasis is upon legal metaphor, we can sterilize the framework of vital spirituality until it is inoperative. However, if we are looking at our relationship with God, Paul's attitude is most encouraging.
Since sin is the word used to describe the broken relationship between God and humanity, then let us rephrase the question accordingly: "Can your broken relationship with God be totally healed?" The answer is thrilling--"Absolutely!" And in case there is any doubt as to how this is to be accomplished, today's text declares that God is "able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy." God is able to heal our broken relationship--and keep it healed! Our friendship with Him puts us "above reproach" (N.E.B.) in His own eyes and in the eyes of the whole universe. And all of this brings Him "unspeakable joy" (Phillips)!
Does this bring tangible results to our lives this side of the kingdom? "Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him" (1 John 4:17, N.I.V.). To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to be made like Him. As our confidence grows in who He is, and that He has called us His friends, we are progressively set free from self-seeking, that quality displayed in insecure and unloved individuals.
Friends, let us leave the past behind and "with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead...go straight for the goal--my reward the honour of my high calling by God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14, Phillips).
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