Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life (Jude 21 ESV)

Jude exhorts us to keep ourselves in the love of God. The word “keep” means to guard or preserve carefully. It is a subtle metaphor. Imagine you have a million dollars to keep. What would you do with it? You will keep it carefully in a place that is safe and secure. Well, you are that treasure, and the place is the love of God! The Lord wants you to keep yourself in His love.

The context of the verse tells us how to do this. The next clause says, “waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” In the previous verse, he said: 

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,” (Jude 20 ESV)

We keep ourselves in the place of His love as we build up our spiritual lives to be established in that love, pray in the Holy Spirit and keep our eyes focused on His return. It means we stay in a place that is governed by the love of God as revealed through the Person and Work of our Lord Jesus Christ. We allow our hearts to be cheered, comforted, and assured by His eternal love for us.

Dwell in His love.

MEDITATE

How do you keep yourself in the love of God? Is it, therefore, possible for us to remove ourselves from the place of God’s love?

APPLY THE WORD

Keep yourself in the place of God’s love. Do not allow anything to remove or separate you from it. Build yourself up, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep waiting for the Master. Furthermore, let His love fill your heart and guide your actions.

PRAY

Ask the Spirit to strengthen you to keep yourself in the love of God at all times. 

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