Preserved in Christ Jesus

To them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. - Jude 1:1-2.

Disciple of Jesus, canst thou not look back on thy past life, and see thy many, many narrow escapes from death? How many dangers hast thou been delivered from; yea, when only one hair's breadth seemed between thee and eternity! O, hadst thou died in thy unregenerate state of sin and unbelief, how couldst thou have escaped the damnation of hell! But impossible this. Thou wast preserved in Christ Jesus, therefore every snare of death has been broken. Thou wast immortal till the Spirit called thee. Think of this and be humbled. Reflect on the love of thy God; rejoice, and give him all the glory. Thou hast not only been preserved from death and hell, but art called to life and salvation by Jesus. His life is thy righteousness, his blood is thy redemption, his intercession thy salvation. And what awaits thee now? Mercy from God the Father, peace in Christ Jesus, love from the blessed Spirit. Such, such is the happy portion of all the called. May this be multiplied more and more upon thee day by day! Such is the doctrine, such the prayer of Jude, the servant of Jesus, inspiration of the Holy Spirit of truth. "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."—John 16:24.

- excerpt from William Mason's A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God, Volume 1, December 10