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Jude 1:16, 20-21 – “These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage…20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.”

We have been meditating on Jesus’ words to abide in Him. This is a choice Jesus enables us to make. Jude emphasizes this in saying, ‘keep yourselves in the love of God.’ How do we keep ourselves in union with the source of other-centered love? Jude says we must learn to build ourselves up in the Christian faith. We have foundational truths to preach to ourselves such as there is no condemnation in Christ. No temptation can overcome us because God is faithful to help us and give us a way out. James says, draw near to God and God will draw near to you. John says, ask anything in accordance with God’s will and you know you have it. Paul says, we are Christ’s workmanship created in Him for good works that He has prepared in advance. I’m more than an overcomer through Christ who gives me strength. I know that He who began a good work in me will bring it to completion. I know that Christ works out all things for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Are you building yourself up daily in God’s promises as revealed in Christ?

Jude also says we need to be praying in the Holy Spirit. Are you asking the Holy Spirit to lead you in prayer and praying in accordance with God’s revealed will in Scripture? Are you continually setting your mind and heart on what is to come when God’s righteousness fully rules forevermore? This is how Jude says we keep ourselves dwelling in and expressing God’s love.

One way to examine ourselves is to see if any of the characteristics from verse sixteen are true of us: grumbling, fault finding, following lust, arrogance, and false flattery.

Prayer