You: Described

Jude 1-2

Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

In this opening greeting, Jude gives us a description of himself and of his audience.  His descriptions are applicable to all of us.  We are exactly as his audience is, and we should be exactly as he is.  Because James is the writer greeting the readers, we have the order that we see in verse one.  When we consider our priorities, the order is applicable to us as well.  When describing himself, James also is telling us who we are and should be.  When describing his readers, James is also telling us what God has done for us to make us who we are.

1. A Servant
   We should be known as servants.  We should be known by Who we serve, Jesus Christ.  We should think of ourselves as servants and live our lives as servants.  Serving our Savior with humility is the most important responsibility we have.  If we will do this, everything else will fall into place.
2. A Brother/Sister
   We are a part of a family, the family of God.  I understand that James is referring to his actual blood brother, but please accept this application.  We are known by God as his children and we have brothers and sisters in Him.  Every child of God is a part of His family and has responsibilities as a member of the family.  What kind of brother or sister are you?
3. Sanctified
   God the Father called us to Himself out of this dark world.  We have set apart by Him.  Peter puts it this way, “You who were not a people are now the people of God.”
4. Preserved
   We are safe and secure, eternally.  Who has preserved us? Jesus Christ.  Where are we preserved?  In Jesus Christ.  We are not saved by any work of righteousness that we have done.  We are saved by His sacrificial work on the cross of Calvary and His bodily resurrection from the dead.  It is Jesus that saved us and it is Jesus that preserves us.
5. Called
   We were called out when He sanctified us.  We were called when He preserved us.  We are called to be His servants.  We are called to be brothers and sisters to the rest of the family of God.  We are called.  Individually, God has given us each a responsibility to carry out within the family.  Hear your calling.  Follow your calling. Obey your calling.
6. Empowered
   We can do what God wants us to do and be who God wants us to be because He has multiplied mercy, peace, and love to us.  He gives us exactly what we need to live for Him and impact others for His glory.  Live in the assurance of your salvation, the knowledge of your calling, and the power of His strength.
   
   photo credit: Kelly Morton