…and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—
At the beginning of Jude’s letter (verse 1) he writes: “To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ…” These people, he adds, will be presented before Christ “without fault and with great joy.”
How?
This is the heart of Jude. This is what he wanted to write about in the first place. What is the amazing secret? How are sinful people to be presented before Jesus Christ without fault? As he pointed out earlier, the answer is Jesus Christ himself.
Think about what is involved in this task!
In Genesis 3, we see humanity choosing to defy God. The consequences are twofold. Estrangement from God and being cursed with knowing both good and evil. Given the ability to know evil, humanity tended that direction so strongly that four chapters later God has already decided to wipe mankind from the face of the earth. Only Noah and his family were allowed to survive.
Since then until today, there has only been one man who has not been owned by evil desires. This man, perfect in every way, allowed himself to be unjustly mocked, shamed, whipped and crucified so that he could redeem “those who have been called” from Satan’s grasp. Having redeemed those kept for him, Jesus is able to bring us into his presence “without fault and with great joy.”
Application: Take a moment and meditate on what the future holds for the people who put their trust in Jesus.
Food for Thought: What does it mean to be ”without fault?”
I know the word can also mean to be without blame. I think of this like the prophet Daniel. Opponents tried to pin something on him by investigating his life and his past. But they could not find any fault because he was a blameless man of integrity. While ultimately we are presented as blameless due to the work of Christ, we want to live for Him in this age with integrity that attracts people to Him.
Rich,
Thank you! I appreciate the comparison between fault and blame. The difference is subtle but important. What I take from your comment is that in Christ, no one can accuse us of fault (before God) or attach blame to us.
Jesus will complete His work and we will be made pure, clean, without sin. We will dwell eternally with our Holy God, with new perfect eternal bodies.
John 5:24, Everlasting life, no condemnation; passed from death unto life.
Hebrews 8:12, I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
Psalm 17:15, Our new bodies will be like our Lord’s glorious body.
Ron,
I love the point about having new “perfect eternal bodies.” It is an important point because there is no joy in being a disembodied spirit.
Right Jeff, Imagine perfect to God. Imagine a body with no sin nature, no desire to sin. We will be able to focus 100% to serving God without interruption! We will have true full-time life.
(Edited at Ron’s request. – Jeff)
Ron,
You make another great point. I have noticed that some people have not fared well under this pandemic lockdown. Depression results from not being able to be productive. When we are engaged and productive, we feel more alive. To be fully engaged, without sin’s distraction as you point out, will mean being fully alive. Truly it is something wonderful to look forward to.