We have come to the “Doxology” of Jude, verses 24-25. A doxology is a hymn or form of words containing an ascription of praise to God. Here is Jude’s doxology, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.“
Jude, here, is simply recognizing that everything he has just stated is really only doable with Jesus. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling…” We must remain in the vine, committed and connected to Jesus, in prayer, in study, in desire. The fact is Jesus wants to! It will bring Him great joy to present us blameless before His throne. It is His glory, His majesty, His dominion, and His authority. It lasts from yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His ability, through His authority, over His dominion, by His Majesty, and for His glory.
These three things, prayer, study, and desire are a ring of truth that feeds into and off each other. Prayer, more than talking to God, it requires a time of quiet meditation in order to listen so that we might hear. Sometimes an audible voice, to some pictures, dreams, visions, or a word. Still other times through others to us, 1 Thessalonians 5:17,20-21 reminds us, “Pray without ceasing…Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good…” Talking with Jesus is critical to maintaining in the vine. So is studying.
Study, as 1 Thessalonians states “test everything,” this is a reminder to me of Acts and how the Thessalonians were called out on this by a comparison made to the Bereans. Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were nobler than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” We must stay diligent in our study or we will easily be led astray and find ourselves detached from the vine. So we have prayer and study together for, as we study in prayer God reveals truth through His word, which creates and stirs desire.
The more one pursues something the greater the desire becomes. If one is truly committed to studying a subject a desire for more information is created. It is true in any relationship as well. The more i pursue, the more i study, the more i talk with my wife, my desire for her increases. It is why when i allow the world to distract me it influences my relationship with my wife. It is the same with Jesus. In fact, the Word declares in Ephesians 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” This idea of giving up our selves, our earthly desires, for a heavenly pursuit is vital. Jesus was tempted on at least a couple of occasions to take an easier road. Yet, He chose to pursue a greater purpose and in so doing left us with an example of prayer, study, and desire.
May your prayers lead to study and may your study lead to greater desire which leads to more prayer, and more study, which increases your desire . . .
You are loved,
cj
cjwillblogit 