Source Criticism

Now to Him being able to keep you without stumbling, and to set you before His glory without blemish .   Jude 24

Without Stumbling – Zodhiates poses a question about this verse: “Is Jude promising we shall live our lives without ever stumbling?” If we answer, “yes,” then Jude seems to stand in contradiction to Paul and James who argue that we often fail to keep the Torah. If we answer, “no,” then we seem to deny Jude’s claim of sinless living. In addition, we have the preponderance of our own experiences – experiences that remind us daily of our failures to live up to God’s code of holiness. What are we supposed to do?

We can start by noticing the Greek word aptaistos comes from the negative plus the word ptaio (to stumble). This is not the same word used for falling (pipto). Stumbling over a sin is not the same as falling into sin. Paul makes the distinction very clear in Romans 11:11. It’s important. If we think life in Christ consists of never making another mistake, we will immediately be discouraged. Our confidence in our relationship to the Father will be shaken. Let’s face it. We all continue to sin in spite of our best efforts not to.

But we don’t fall. To fall is to return to the pattern of sinful action that once ruled over us. To fall is to step away from the relationship with the Father and decide to live according to my own best advice. Falling is not the same as stumbling. Those who fall are not convicted by their sin. They are numb to the Spirit. Those who stumble are agonized until they are restored. Unrepentant sinners are unconscious of their condition. Stumbling sinners recognize their bloodied knees.

There is another important point here. Notice the power source. Jude doesn’t say we will not stumble. He says Yeshua has the power to keep us from stumbling. In other words, the verse is about the source, not the result. Yeshua is able even if I do not lean entirely on Him at all times. My stumbling does not diminish His ability. It only shows I did not avail myself of His strength in that moment. Zodhiates question points in the wrong direction. The verse isn’t about me. It’s about Him. The question should be, “Does Jude promise Yeshua is always able to sustain my righteousness no matter what the circumstances?” And the answer is, “Of course. He is the source of my righteousness.”

John would say, “My little children. Take heart. Yes, you may stumble, but that does not erase the goodness of God or the power of the Messiah. There is restoration in the cross. God forgives. So, pick yourself up, dust off your shoes and start walking again. The one who redeemed you is able to keep you. Lean entirely on Him and He will supply what you need.”

Sin is a part of the life of every righteous follower. After all, we were not made righteous because we conquered our sin. We were made righteous because we are sinners. The only victory sin has in the lives of the redeemed is to convince us we can’t make it. That’s entirely true. We can’t make it, but it doesn’t matter. We can’t make it, but He can. It’s His life in me, not my life in Him. So, when you stumble, praise God. He is the source of your righteousness. Then get up and lean harder.

Topical Index: sin, stumble, fall, aptaistos, pipto, Jude 24