The Book of Jude Part 1: Called, Sanctified, and Preserved

This article is the beginning of five different articles that will be written that go through the book of Jude. It is imperative in the last days that we consider this book of the Bible which is considered one of the shortest books in the Bible but is extremely relevant. We live in an hour where gross darkness is filling the earth and signs of the times are running rampant. There are many lessons that are impactful that we can learn from the powerful book of Jude.

Jude 1:1-4 says, “Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you, Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT OF THE BOOK OF JUDE

Jude who is a bondservant of Jesus Christ the brother of James is infused with urgency and a prophetic purpose of warning Christians against false teachers. There is a clear call to contend earnestly for the faith. The point of this book as we break it down is that in the last days, there will be spiritual perpetrators (people who carry out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act.) These spiritual perpetrators of unbiblical standards claim to be anointed, claim to be prophetic, claim to be people of the Spirit but their beliefs threaten the call to holiness and purity. We must consistently build ourselves up with the TRUTH! Jude calls us to be alert and even vocal in our warnings to those who are being swayed by false humanistic philosophies.

After Jude introduces himself he says to those called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ. If you are called, sanctified, and preserved in Jesus Christ then Jude is talking to you. These are three things that are markings of true Christians.

2. THE CALLED TAKE THEIR SALVATION SERIOUS

Jude reminds you that you are called by God. The word called means you have been invited. You have been summoned by God to salvation. It means you are divinely called. This invitation is to all. The blood of Jesus is unlimited in the aspect that it is

available to all but limited in the aspect that it only works for those who believe. God desires that all answer the call but as we know many do not! The fact that God called you to salvation and you answered is the most powerful thing that could have ever happened in your life.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

2 Peter 1:8-11 says, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Peter gives the instruction to take our call to salvation so seriously because it will safeguard us against backsliding. Peter says to be diligent to make your calling or election into salvation sure. The word sure in Greek means to be firm, secure, steadfast, and enduring.

3. THE SANCTIFIED WILL LIVE IN A STATE OF READINESS

Jude wants to make sure that we understand that he is talking to the sanctified. The word sanctification means to be consecrated or separated unto God. Not Just separated in the form of attending church, reading your bible, and praying. It means to be separated from the profane, relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious. It also means to be separated from having a carnal or worldly mindset. The word sanctified means you are set apart FOR GOD not set apart FROM GOD.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

There are at least four ways in the Word of God that you can be sanctified according to the Word of God. Please watch the video podcast to learn about each of these in more depth.

1. SANCTIFIED BY THE BLOOD

You are sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ. You must apply the blood of Jesus Christ to every aspect of your life.

Hebrews 13:12-14 says, “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.”

2. SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD

Secondly, you are sanctified or separated from evil by the Word of God. The Word of God is a powerful weapon that sets you apart for God’s glory.

Ephesians 5:26 says, “that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.”

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

3. SANCTIFIED BY THE SPIRIT

Thirdly, you are sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit. You need the Holy Spirit in your life to consistently bring a conviction that sets you apart for God’s purposes.

1 Peter 1:2 says, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.”

Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

4. SANCTIFYING YOURSELF

Finally, you are sanctified by the decisions that you make yourself. You have a responsibility to flee from sin.

2 Corinthians 6:17 says, “Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”Come out from among them.”

Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

4. THE PRESERVED KNOW GOD’S PROTECTION

Jude then begins to address the church as being preserved. This word preserved in Greek means to watch over, to guard, or to be kept. Every blood-bought believer in Jesus Christ is kept by the power of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 says, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

1 Timothy 4:1-4 says, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”