To those who have been called…
The second mystery of Jude’s letter is found in these six little words: “To those who have been called.” What does he mean by “called,” and who are these people who have been called?
To answer the question of what it means to be “called,” let’s turn to Peter’s first letter:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
— 1 Peter 2: 9-10
People of God are called by God to come out of the darkness and into the light. Are there people who are not called? Or, more accurately, are there people who will always reject the calling of God?
In Matthew 13: 24-30 Jesus tells the parables of the Wheat and the Tares:
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
(KJV)
I prefer the King James translation of this parable because the KJV uses the word “tares” instead of “weeds.” To my mind, a weed is easy to spot. Regardless of where it is growing, a weed looks out of place. But that is not the kind of weed Jesus had in mind.
The word “tare” refers to a plant that looks like wheat. As they grow up together, it is difficult to tell the one from the other. Only when they mature, is it clear that one is a weed and the other is wheat. Even then, it is possible for the unsuspecting to be fooled.
Jude’s letter is a call to be wary. There are people in the church who have ulterior motives. Those who have been called cannot defend themselves if they cannot recognize the tares.
Application: Be wise and wary.
Food for Thought: What are the distinguishing marks of someone who has been called?
Note: If you would like a more in-depth discussion on the tares and the wheat there is an excellent study on the topic here.
There are many distinguishing marks of those who are called. Jesus said we would know them by their fruit. Paul wrote of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 22-23. If we are sincerely following Jesus we will become more and more like Christ as the Spirit transforms our lives to look like Galatians 5:22-23.
Thank you, Rich! What a wonderful passage:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.“
Amen, Rich. Also, the absence of worldly things in one’s life sometimes is an early indicator when meeting someone new. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17) should not have the same effect on God’s called and chosen (Matthew 20:16). See also 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Galatians 5:19-21.
JEC,
The verses you provide are an excellent study in ‘worldly things.’ Thank you!
Happy 2nd Birthday blog!
Thank you DAE!
Two years of blogging on God’s Word has been an amazing blessing! I couldn’t have done it without your support!!
Distinguishing marks has been well covered by Rich and JEC.
You ask two important questions at the tailend of 1 Peter 2:9-10 which have been argued for centuries. My reconciliation of both these being true is God has sent His Holy Spirit to convict the world, requiring the entire world to make a choice, exercise free will regarding the truth of conviction as stated in John 16-8-11.
At the same time the Bible clearly defines God’s Omniscience, His foreknowledge of our names and our choices. Creating this world with this foreknowledge, God has predestined each of us to exercise our free will. God requires we each pass judgement on ourselves with full knowledge of our uninfluenced decision regarding His revealed truths. Did we decide we wanted to be with God, or live our lives without Him?
John 16:8-11, When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
1 Peter 1:2, The people chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father through the sanctifying action of the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus, the Messiah, and to be sprinkled with his blood. May grace and peace be yours in abundance!
Jeremiah 1:5, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.
Galatians 1:15, But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace.
Ron,
I appreciate your insight into this topic. One truth that has jumped out at me time and time again as I study God’s Word has been that God’s view of things is very different from our view. Ecclesiastes 3: 11 reads: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
Jeff,
Exactly Jeff. I threw away my God box years ago, finally understood He is and will always be beyond by understanding. I am very excited about studying and listening to all He has for me in His word.
Thank You for all the work you put into
His current assignment for your life.
Blessings,
Ron
Thank you, Ron!
I appreciate your encouragement, your friendship, and that you share your insights here for others to benefit from.
Wow. Some excellent stuff here from every. Thank you all. And Jeff, happy second birthday blog indeed. You have done a great job with these. I am kind of in shock that it has already been two years.
I meant every one.
👍🏻 Jeff, it is hard to believe threeminutebible is 2 years old. Happy Blogirthday! Blessings on hopefully many more to come!
Happy really late blog birthday Jeff you’ve done a great thing sharing the word.