Test post from my iPad. Want to see how this works.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
How To Begin
Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. (Jude 1-2)
So much I love about these two verses. Jude does three really great things here that I wish I did more.
First, he shares his identity - who he thinks he is. Who we see ourselves as is important. It determines how we feel about ourselves and influences our behavior. Jude places his identity first in Christ. Who he is in Christ comes before family, job, ethnicity, or any other descriptor you may think of.
Then, he points out to whom he is writing. He does this by pointing out their identity in Christ. And what a wonderful choice of words he uses. Beloved of God and Kept for Christ! This is how Jude saw his intended readers. Makes me wonder if I see others that way. Makes me wonder if others see me like that.
Finally, Jude shares a blessing. The Bible is full of blessings. God blesses his people. Fathers bless sons. Teachers bless students. We don't do that anymore. I don't know when people stopped blessing one another. Seems like today we are quick to point out mistakes and things that could be done better. Which is pretty much the opposite of a blessing. Wouldn't it be a better world if we lifted one another up with loving Godly blessings each day?
So much I love about these two verses. Jude does three really great things here that I wish I did more.
First, he shares his identity - who he thinks he is. Who we see ourselves as is important. It determines how we feel about ourselves and influences our behavior. Jude places his identity first in Christ. Who he is in Christ comes before family, job, ethnicity, or any other descriptor you may think of.
Then, he points out to whom he is writing. He does this by pointing out their identity in Christ. And what a wonderful choice of words he uses. Beloved of God and Kept for Christ! This is how Jude saw his intended readers. Makes me wonder if I see others that way. Makes me wonder if others see me like that.
Finally, Jude shares a blessing. The Bible is full of blessings. God blesses his people. Fathers bless sons. Teachers bless students. We don't do that anymore. I don't know when people stopped blessing one another. Seems like today we are quick to point out mistakes and things that could be done better. Which is pretty much the opposite of a blessing. Wouldn't it be a better world if we lifted one another up with loving Godly blessings each day?
May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
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