Keep yourselves in the love of God

Bible Reading: Jude

Jude 1:20-21 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Jude wrote for a very specific purpose to the church of his day. He was adamant - certain ungodly men had crept into the church unaware and were trying to denying the Lord Jesus Christ. He reminded the believers of his day that God judged those of Israel that did not believe, the wicked angels who left their own habitation and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha.

He is telling us that ungodly men of every age will be judged. When the Lord returns. He quotes a prophecy by Enoch that tells of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Then he points out the true nature of these 'filthy dreamers'.

Jude 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

They are 'sensual'. The Greek word is psuchikos and is translated as 'natural' in other places.

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Here is the definition of the 'natural' or 'sensual' man. He does not have the Spirit. The Bible says:

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

The difference between these men and believers is the Holy Spirit living in them. These men are not saved so they are at work trying to destroy the church.

Jude admonishes the believers of every age by telling us to build ourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. We have the Holy Spirit living in us. We are to pray in him. This is how we keep ourselves in the love of God. This is how we stay focused on our hope of the Lord Jesus returning for us. We have the Spirit! He lives in us. He comforts us, helps us and teaches us.

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Keep yourselves in the love of God!

In Christ,
Rody