September 7

Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints. — Jude 1:3 BSB

This short letter is full of warnings against disobedience and unbelief. It’s important to remember that those who live in sin will perish.

But the final verses of the letter offer hope and encouragement to those who remain in God’s love, waiting for the mercy of Jesus Christ to bring them eternal life.

The benediction is especially beautiful and reassuring. Jesus Christ is able to keep us from stumbling throughout our journey in this world. What a wonderful promise! Life is full of dangers and temptations, and we cannot keep ourselves safe.

Heaven is promised to us, but it feels far away, and the path is full of peril. How will we ever make it? Christ will keep us—not only from falling, but even from stumbling.

And He will do something more: He will present us before God’s glory, without blemish, in the end. This one verse alone makes the whole letter worthy of its place in Scripture.