Jude 21 says, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
God loves us (John 3:16), and He is also pleased when we respond to His love for us (1st John 4:16-19). We are to keep ourselves “in the love of God”.
As lost sinners, we cannot change our sinful nature with our own efforts (Titus 3:5). We all fall short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23), but the Lord Jesus took the initiative of loving us, “while we were yet sinners” (Rom. 5:8). He died and rose again from the grave (1st Cor. 15:1-4) to guarantee our salvation (Rom. 4:25). He is the only way that can you bridge a loving relationship with the Father (John 14:6).
When you trust Jesus by faith as your Lord and Savior (Eph. 2:8-9), you are declared righteous (2nd Cor 5:21), and a child of God (John 1:12)! He promised to take good care of His children, because He loves us with “an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3).
Keeping ourselves “in the love of God” can affect how we respond to His love (John 16:27). For instance, Martha, like many Christians today, was “cumbered about much serving,” while Mary chose “that good part” by listening to Jesus (Luke 10:38-42). We learn to love His words in response to His love for us. We love to listen to the preaching of God’s Word (John 8:47) and studying it (2nd Tim. 2:15). We will also keep His commandments (1st John 5:3) because of our love for Him.
When you mess up, rather than dwelling on the shame and guilt of your sins, confess them (1st John 1:9), and return to the love of God. When trials come, don’t question God’s love, because His love is fixed; instead, allow the adversities of life to draw you closer to Him (James 1:2-4). When we keep ourselves “in the love of God,” it fulfills the joy of your salvation.
Pastor Melito Barrera (Berean Bible Baptist Church of Chula Vista)