When reading scripture, it is tempting to overlook the introduction to the various letters so that one gets to the body of the letter more quickly.
Much of the time, though, that is a mistake as the introduction often contains interesting words or phrases that set the tone for the rest of the letter.
One such case is the introduction to the tiny letter of Jude. It says, “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 in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance” (verses 1-2).
While we could focus on several words here, I want us to think about two in particular; called and kept.
Called means that God is offering us an invitation. We are being called into the new life and new hope that he has for us. Called means that we are valuable to God, that he loves us and has a plan for us. We are called for a purpose. We are here to do something.
God wants to work in us and through us to do good and show his love wherever we go. When I remember that I am called, then I live differently. Faith is not about being saved and then waiting for Jesus to return. Rather, we are here to be useful to God.
You may remember that in Jesus’ parable of the talents, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” was said to those who did something useful with what was entrusted to them (Matthew 25:14-30).
Once we understand that we are called, then the work “kept” becomes much more important. Kept means that God watches over us and provides what we need. Kept reminds us that we are not in charge. Rather, we are being guided and have God’s help to do whatever needs to be done.
When we remember that we are kept by God, then we do his work in a better way. We pray and trust more. We worry less. That we are “kept in Christ” also reminds us that this world is not to be our main focus and that our eternal home is coming.
Do not skip the words called and kept. Those two small words say a lot.
