Dr. Mac’s Minute: Resolved to Receive and Reflect Jesus
Passage: Jude 20-23
.
Focus: “ . . . keep yourselves in the love of God.” (v. 21)
Focus: “ . . . keep yourselves in the love of God.” (v. 21)
.
What is your favorite holiday? Mine is New Year’s Day. I call it “Philippians 3:13-14 Day.” It is an opportunity for, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” It offers a fresh start at pressing “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” New Year’s Day is a symbol for new beginnings.
What is your favorite holiday? Mine is New Year’s Day. I call it “Philippians 3:13-14 Day.” It is an opportunity for, “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.” It offers a fresh start at pressing “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” New Year’s Day is a symbol for new beginnings.
.
It is also a day when many make “New Year’s resolutions.” Have you made any? How long do you think they will last? A few years ago, USA Today reported that 25% of these well-intended personal promises are broken within the first week and 50% by the end of January. Less than 20% survive the year!
It is also a day when many make “New Year’s resolutions.” Have you made any? How long do you think they will last? A few years ago, USA Today reported that 25% of these well-intended personal promises are broken within the first week and 50% by the end of January. Less than 20% survive the year!
.
In Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael Banks ask her to stay forever. Michael pleads, “Will you stay if I promise to be good?” The nanny tucks him in and says, “That’s a pie crust promise; easily made and easily broken.”
In Mary Poppins, Jane and Michael Banks ask her to stay forever. Michael pleads, “Will you stay if I promise to be good?” The nanny tucks him in and says, “That’s a pie crust promise; easily made and easily broken.”
.
Many Christians make “pie crust promises.” Others do the opposite. Out of fear they make no commitments. President Kennedy said, “Many never fail because they never aim at anything.” In God’s work this won’t work. We
need biblical commitments.
Many Christians make “pie crust promises.” Others do the opposite. Out of fear they make no commitments. President Kennedy said, “Many never fail because they never aim at anything.” In God’s work this won’t work. We
need biblical commitments.
.
As he drew his letter to a close, Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, gave us a foundation for making biblical commitments: “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21). Theologians have debated the verb “keep” for years. Should it be taken in the passive sense (something you allow to be done in your life); in other words, “receive His love”? Or does it express the active sense (something you do) of reflecting His love?
As he drew his letter to a close, Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, gave us a foundation for making biblical commitments: “Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21). Theologians have debated the verb “keep” for years. Should it be taken in the passive sense (something you allow to be done in your life); in other words, “receive His love”? Or does it express the active sense (something you do) of reflecting His love?
.
I know the answer . . . YES!!! It is both passive and active. Let God’s love surround you, fill you, and keep you to the point where you must let God’s love spill over and touch others. Receive AND reflect the love of Jesus.
I know the answer . . . YES!!! It is both passive and active. Let God’s love surround you, fill you, and keep you to the point where you must let God’s love spill over and touch others. Receive AND reflect the love of Jesus.
.
Jude surrounds this challenge with three statements that tell us how to receive the Master’s love: “building yourselves up in your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit,” and “waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life . . . keep yourselves in the love of God” (vv. 20-21). He then concludes with three ways to reflect that love: “have mercy on some who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (vv. 22-23).
Jude surrounds this challenge with three statements that tell us how to receive the Master’s love: “building yourselves up in your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit,” and “waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life . . . keep yourselves in the love of God” (vv. 20-21). He then concludes with three ways to reflect that love: “have mercy on some who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (vv. 22-23).
.
Might I be so presumptuous as to suggest a New Year’s commitment for each of us? “In 2023 I will reach up to Jesus and reach out for Him.” No pie crust promises . . . just a commitment to receive and reflect His love.
Might I be so presumptuous as to suggest a New Year’s commitment for each of us? “In 2023 I will reach up to Jesus and reach out for Him.” No pie crust promises . . . just a commitment to receive and reflect His love.
