By O. Allen Bailey

"... Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, 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.

"...Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints...." Jude 1:1-3.

LM

Jude wrote a letter to the saints,
And what a picture old Jude paints;
- To those whom are embraced in God,
Though some yet journey on this clod.

For, no others' can read saints' mail
To pry within and then assail
What God has written, penned within,
Is to the called, only for them.

- To those whom God has sanctified,
- From Him Whom never to these lied;
For they are kept in Christ The Lord,
There all their blessings, ever stored.

God gave Jude diligence to say
What was good for them in their day;
-Build them up on salvation's way,
Lest from it's precepts, they should stray.

To these alone he did not write,
But saints then hidden from man's sight;
Though in their order would be born,
And from earth's womb, their spirits torn.

This way is common to them all
- To all the saints found in God's call;
- Once was delivered to His saints,
When Grace in them with it acquaints.

Redemption came in Christ the Lord,
When from the tree His Own blood poured;
And on this theme, God's saint does write,
To give our minds still clearer light.

A myst'ry hid in ages past,
Though in God's Mind, it was held fast;
When Christ in glory would appear,
With His salvation for them here;

This faith delivers gospel news,
And brings to light with clearer views
What nature never could present,
But that the Spirit to them sent;

A hidden wisdom, though ordained,
It has now in the church thus reigned;
And brought to light God's wond'rous Plan
Where His Eternal Mind did scan.

When saints receive this blessed gift;
It's power in these will then uplift;
Where Life in Christs' brought to their sight,
They'll view God's Grace within this light.

The works of self shall pass away,
- Christ is their Merit every day;
For all the merit shall be His,
Where Emmanuel in them lives.

God's Law they find they cannot keep,
That of it's promises may reap;
But of the Promise in God's Son,
In all He's said, in all He's done;

Then it's demands will flee away,
When on Christ's Spirit they shall stay;
For He will work their works within,
And take away all of their sin.

This common faith is to them all,
Where'er they're found upon earth's ball;
A legacy, they alike bear,
And in it's blessings ever share.

This salvation's so dear to them,
It's Truth and honor, they'd defend;
Dearer than life, this treasure hold,
And in it's strength, often grow bold;

For it they'd earnestly contend,
On Christ it's Hope, ever depend;
And for it's theme, their zeal grows strong,
It's Love and Power is all their song.

It's order they will set in view,
Before God's favored, little few;
Christ's Spirit in them will endew
What He has given them to do.

And where this Sun shall ever shine,
To God's true praise it will incline;
Till heav'n and earth shall pass away,
And God's Own Face in Christ display.

*Copyright 2002
O. Allen Bailey

*This material may be freely copied and distributed, but shall not be sold.