In June 2022, Boris Johnson had 41% of his own party vote against him. He survived for only a time as we know. Previously in March 1979 the Labour government was defeated with a vote of no confidence by 311 votes to 310 and it then saw the leadership of Margaret Thatcher as PM. Interestingly, the reason the government lost the vote was simply because 2 ministers abstained and another was gravely ill and did not vote. It was that close.
With the many circumstances of your life including illness, failed relationships, unemployment, even an ageing body, it is so easy to lose confidence in your position. Then there is the enemy of your soul who is constantly voting against you, reminding you, provoking you and for the simple reason to remove your confidence. It may have been so simple; it could have been so different; but circumstances went against you and perhaps you have re-lived those moments again and again; but the clock cannot be turned back; it happened and now you are not as confident as you once were.
We are reading a small letter from Jude and if you know the experience of losing your confidence or that of others then this is for you. From the opening which we will read and then those wonderful verses at the end this man knows what it is to gain confidence again.
This is a letter from a brother of Jesus who at one time refused to believe in who he was. He thought Jesus mad at least and certainly not the Son of God and he was not afraid to let that be known (John 7:5 – “For even his own brothers did not believe in him.”). But in the days preceding Pentecost he is in a prayer meeting (Acts 1:14 – “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers”). Why the change? Surely it was the living proof of the resurrection of his brother who was indeed the Son of God. Whether or not Jesus showed himself to Jude/Judas he definitely met James (1 Corinthians 15:7 “Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles”).
We all have years of our lives where unbelief and periods of doubt dominated our walk with God. For some the knocks of life weakened our walk with God and perhaps we are not as strong as we used to be. Jude starts his letter by saying two words really, ‘Be confident’. False teachers had got into the church and he was having none of it. They were robbing the Christians and he wrote with clear description to oust these deceivers from the community. He wants the Church to stand firm and to be confident in Christ.
“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, to those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.” (Jude 1-2)
- You are called. Not because of anything you have done whether that be a failure or an achievement. But called because of His love, the Father’s love that does not cast aside because of your imperfection but rather looks after you. This is not an angry Father God but a loving One. He unconditionally loves you and that is still the most powerful revelation to hold on to.
- You are called. Into the context of a world where forces are trying to cause God’s people to walk from the truth, Jude says you are kept for Jesus Christ. You are protected. You are saved. You will get through this because of Jesus. He will carry you.
- You are called. The benefits are abundant. They never run dry. The mercy of God is yours, the blood of Jesus, washing over your sins, constantly freeing you from the burdens of sin. Following mercy is the impact of your well-being, shalom, your peace with God who is merciful to you. Finally, living in this calling we are given abundance of love for other people and along with the other traits it is this that is the evidence of being called.
Today do not let any infiltrator rob you of your calling in God. This is the message Jude brings and it is needed today more than ever. You will have a vote of no confidence from someone for the enemy of your soul will make sure of it. However … you are called!
Missions Paul 