Overflowing Power, Glory and Grace

UV 1353/10,000 Overflowing Power, Glory and Grace
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy
Jude 1 v 24

There is no scope for regret or procrastination in our lives. The Lord wants our lives to be full of “exceeding joy”. It is called exceeding joy as it exceeds our abilities, our hopes, our dreams, our expectations, our imagination, our understanding, our circumstances. There is no excuse for sloppy work or wilful sinning. The Lord’s will is that we be perfect like the Father in heaven. He does not want us to fall short of God’s glory. Collectively, we are called to be the perfect bride and individually, each of us is called to be a perfect part of a perfect body. The Lord is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless by His grace. The words, “ unto Him” implies that all perfection, power and glory is sourced from the Lord and belongs to Him and Him alone. Our prayers are directed to Him and our attribution should also go to Him for grace and glory. God’s grace is needed to keep us from falling into sin and temptation. God’s grace is needed to keep our eyes from tears.

We are introduced to each other as common people but we are presented to royalty. When I was introduced to Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II , the diplomat reported that I was “ presented” to the Queen. It is deemed to be a privilege and honour. Similarly, an ambassador on assuming charge at a new post presents his credentials to the Head of government in that country. Similarly, at the end of our earthly sojourn we are presented by Jesus to the Father as someone who has fought the good fight and won the race. He would say, “He/she was our ambassador on earth and he/she did a good job."
When we so much as enter and abide in the glorious presence of Jesus, we are filled with exceeding joy. When vessels however big are kept under a gushing torrent or a waterfall, it fills in no time and keeps overflowing. Similarly, when we are in the presence of the Lord, our cups are no longer half full or half empty but overflowing with grace. Our strength to endure should be in excess or abundance beyond rational explanation. Our capacity to forgive should be generous, beyond natural limits. Our patience or ability to wait should be exceptional. Our love for God and for man should be overpowering. Our faith and hope should be beyond all rational standards. Our vision should also be far beyond our own lifetime. Our creativity, influence and impact should also be amazingly excessive.

Prateep V Philip