Keep Yourselves in the Love of God.

(Bible quotations are from NASB unless otherwise notes. Text may be enhanced for emphasis.)

Jude 20-21. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Thanks for checking in on my first Midweek Encouragement for the new year. So much has been observed about the trials of the previous year. And so much more has been speculated about how the next months will unfold. Some folks attempt to be optimistic; yet many are dark and pessimistic. Let’s let all such talk fade away in the light of what God has promised to us. The anchor for our success and wellbeing now and into 2021 rests in this:

2 Timothy 2:19 ESV. Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

The Apostle Jude wraps up his short epistle with a challenge: “Keep yourselves in the Love of God.” How do we do that? What is required to keep ourselves in the Love of God?

Answer: Active faith. Faith is believing what God has said. Choose to rest is His goodness and favor. Specifically, embrace these things God has committed to us regarding His love:

Psalm 118:1 NIV. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Lamentations 3:22-24 ESV. 22The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”

Hebrews 11:6 NIV. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

1 John 4:16-17 ESV. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

Ephesians 3:17-19 NASV. Paul prays 17 “. . . that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.

I encourage you to come back to these promises often to keep your hearts in His love. DN