Articles
A Long Sentence In A Short Letter
Often we are amazed to find precious and profound literary gems in our Bibles – gems that exceed those found in the words of adored writers such as Shakespeare.
This is the case with the last two verses of the very short letter of Jude. “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.”
There is a reason for these words to have such intense value. They are not the words of a human language stylist. They issue from the genius of God. We are also led from one part of such a gem to other words that connect with them in thought and guidance. In the two verses of Jude above, we are reminded of other truths that interpret them. Consider....
- “NOW”....“Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
- “TO HIM WHO IS ABLE”....”to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)
- “TO KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING”....”If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world (Jesus, John 8:12). But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” (John 11:9 10)
- “AND TO PRESENT YOU BLAMELESS BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GLORY WITH GREAT JOY”....“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.” (Colossians 1:21 22, and compare Romans 15:13)
- 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.”....”To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)
What a great treasure of quotable words of praise to our God is revealed in the writings of the apostles inspired by God. We are commanded by one of them to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Colossians 3:16)
So, learn how to use your Bible Concordance, and with the Apostle Paul let us say, “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (Romans 16:25 27)
