“To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” – Jude 1:1-2

A few years ago, we started learning how to make tasty donuts, which we often share with children in the neighborhood.

They are great when fresh but keeping them that way can be problematic.

We’re now trying to find a way of preserving our donuts so we can enjoy them for as many days as possible.

Indeed, preserving food and other items by protecting them from decay, spoilage, damage or decomposition has been a major concern for humanity since ancient times.

In Bible times, salt became the most important preservative for meats and other foods.

Much later, the Egyptians developed preservatives to keep the bodies of loved ones from decay. Some have remained intact to date.

Today, chemical preservatives for food, beverages, cosmetics, medicines, and etcetera are a multi-billion dollar industry.

In our meditation today, the apostle affirms the believers in Christ, saying they’re called, sanctified, and “preserved in Christ.”

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:23

Of course it’s one thing to be called and sanctified by God the Father.

However, remaining in that state for a lifetime is a completely different matter.

It takes the ‘preserving’ power of the Lord Jesus.                                                                          

This is because life in this world exposes the children of God to lots of worldly ‘germs,’ ‘microbes’ and ‘bacteria’ that do lead to the spiritual decay and degeneration of our faith. 

Also, the different ‘toxic’ conditions that we often find ourselves in make it easy for our souls to ‘spoil’ and our spirit to lose its fervor or freshness.

That’s why Christians may “grow cold” or “lose their first love.”

The apostle Paul made that point in his prayers. He declared in 2 Timothy 4:18: “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.”

Then in his famous prayer for the Thessalonians, he prayed: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

That means that every part of a Christian’s life – body, soul and spirit – should continually bear evidence that he/she is set apart for God, not just for a few years but for a lifetime – or until the Lord returns. 

That’s takes God’s power, of course. Indeed, God promises to do it: “The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore” (Psalm 121:8).

I declare over you that your soul will not go bad. Your faith won’t be a waste. You’re preserved as divine mercy, peace, and love are multiplied in your life.

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for calling me and sanctifying me for Yourself. May you preserve my whole being – body, soul and spirit – for yourself until the very end. For the glory of Your Name, Amen!