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Response
The benediction in Jude 1:24–25 reads, “To him who has the power to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” What does it signify that God is capable of preventing us from falling (as the KJV puts it)?
When interpreting the significance of any verse, the context is crucial. Jude is an epistle authored by Jude, a half-brother of Jesus. The epistle is directed to fellow believers, whom Jude addresses as “friends” «Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. », (Jude 1:3,17, 20). According to Jude 1:3, Jude had intended to discuss salvation, but he was compelled to address the importance of defending the faith. It appears that there were false converts among the congregation who were “ungodly persons, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” «For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. », (Jude 1:4). Jude proceeds to describe some of the actions of these false believers and draws parallels to past rebellions. He cautions that these individuals will not escape judgment.
Jude then encourages the believers to persevere in the faith. He advises them not to be surprised by the presence of “mockers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
Res” «how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. », (Jude 1:18) as it had been prophesied. Instead of being deceived by the false teachers among them, they should continue to grow in faith: “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 1:20-21).
After condemning the ungodly who had “secretly slipped in” «For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. », (Jude 1:4), explaining the severe nature of God’s judgment, and urging his readers to live godly lives, Jude concludes his letter with a doxology. Here he states that God is capable of preventing us from stumbling. While Jude instructs his readers to “keep yourselves in God’s love” «keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. », (Jude 1:21), he also emphasizes that it is God who preserves us. Our righteousness does not originate from ourselves, but from God. We are to defend the faith and endure. However, ultimately, our security does not depend on us. We need not fear falling away from God, for He is the one who sustains us. We rely on His power, not our own.
In Jude’s hymn of praise, “the only wise God our Saviour” «to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.»,(Jude 1:25, KJV) is credited with accomplishing two things for us: He is capable of preventing us from falling (literally, He keeps us unfallen), and He is capable of presenting us faultless “before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (verse 24, KJV). In the midst of all the traps in this world, including the widespread false teachings, our Savior can protect us from sin and mistakes. The false teachers Jude denounces have fallen into sinful ways, but God can safeguard His own. One day, we will stand in His very presence completely sanctified and blameless (see Colossians 1:22).
Jude pens this as an encouragement. He advises believers to stand firm and lead a holy life. Moreover, he assures them that God is both ready and capable of purifying His children. Genuine Christians will grapple with sin (1 John 1:8-9). We will stumble. However, we can rely on the faithfulness of our God to keep us secure and to present us blameless before Himself (John 10:28-30; Romans 7-8; Philippians 1:6). Not only is He capable of this, but He does it with immense joy. This is why we extol Him so fervently.
