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Welcome to The Daily.

We will begin Esther next Monday. I have titled this one, FOR SUCH A TIME: Courage When God Seems Silent. Grab the Esther Journal now. If you are a Project23 donor giving $35/month or more, do not purchase one; we have already sent this to you in the mail.

Our text today is Jude 1-2

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. — Jude 1-2

You will never contend for the faith well if you forget who you are.

Jude is about to confront spiritual corruption, false teaching, rebellion, and judgment. His letter will be direct. At times, it will be severe.

But he does not begin with the threat. He begins with identity. Just like Peter did. Before Jude tells believers what they must defend, he reminds them of what God has already done for them.

Jude introduces himself as "a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James." That is extremely humble because Jude was also one of Jesus' earthly brothers (half-brother). He could have emphasized his family connection. He could have said, "I grew up with J.C., and I knew him before any one of you did."

Instead, he calls himself a servant of Him.

John 7:5 tells us there was a time when Jesus' brothers did not believe in him. They had proximity to Jesus, but proximity was not faith. Yet after the resurrection, Acts 1:14 finds Jesus' brothers gathered in prayer with the disciples.

Their understanding had changed; therefore, their relationship changed.

Jude no longer saw Jesus merely as the brother he knew. He recognized him as the Lord he needed to serve.

You see, familiarity with Jesus is not the same as an all-in surrender to Jesus.

You can grow up in church, know the language, understand Bible stories, and be surrounded by believers. But none of those things make Jesus your Lord. Faith becomes personal when you stop merely knowing about Jesus and surrender to him.

Then Jude describes believers with three powerful words:

1. Called.
2. Beloved.
3. Kept.

First, you are called. Your relationship with God did not begin because you became spiritually curious enough, morally good enough, or religiously disciplined enough. God took the initiative. He called you out of darkness and brought you to his Son. The gospel is not the story of good people finding God. It is the story of a gracious God calling sinners to himself.

Second, you are beloved in God the Father. God does not merely tolerate you because Jesus convinced him to be patient. The Father himself loves you. His love is not a reward for spiritual performance. It is a gift secured through the righteousness and sacrifice of Christ.

• You may feel forgotten by people.
• You may feel disappointed in yourself.
• You may even wonder whether your repeated struggles have exhausted God's patience.

But if you belong to Christ, Jude gives you a better word: Beloved.

Third, you are kept for Jesus Christ. You are not saved by grace and then preserved by your own grit. God is keepin