“Keep Yourselves”

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 20,21)

The book of Jude begins with an exhortation to stand for “the faith“. The author recognizes the dangerous influence of false teachers that were turning the grace of God into “lewdness”.  (vs. 4) Jude follows with a vivid description of these apostates. (vs. 5-19)  From these corruptor’s who have occupied his pen, Jude now directs his readers toward final words of encouragement.

First, Jude’s readers are exhorted to “keep themselves” in God’s circle of love. The soul’s primary retreat is the love of God. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35-38). 

Second, “the faith” which was mentioned in verse three is the objective standard they must cling to. Jude personalizes “the faith” (“your most holy faith”) because it had been delivered to them. The faith delivered by God, the gospel of Christ, is the only sure and solid foundation for our soul’s salvation. For this reason, Jude encourages them to build on this foundation. A better and more complete understanding of God‘s will is the best preventative against the false doctrine that was plaguing these disciples.

Next, this must be coupled with praying in the Holy Spirit. The spirit instructs us and helps us to ask according to God‘s will. The spirit suggest the manner of a prayer of sincerity and fervency. It is by this kind of prayer that the saint can become empowered to overcome the evil.


Finally, Jude’s words are linked to an expectation of God‘s mercy, and its ultimate end, eternal life. This inspired writer encourages his disciples to keep their hearts focused on the goal. It was through God‘s mercy that the people were called into a relationship with him. The final manifestation of mercy will be enjoying God‘s presence forever.


Dear reader where do you stand with God? The message of Jude is to persevere! One day you will enjoy the reward.


George Slover

 

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