Jude 1:21 says, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
This verse gives a clear command to “keep” ourselves in God’s love. But if God always loves His children, what exactly does this mean? Let’s break it down and see how this verse applies to our daily walk with the Lord.
What Does It Mean to “Keep Yourself in the Love of God”?
First, we know from the Bible that God’s love for His children is eternal.
Romans 8:38-39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
So Jude 1:21 is not saying that we need to work to keep God loving us—His love is secure.
Instead, this command is about our responsibility to remain in a position where we experience and enjoy the fullness of His love.
1. Abiding in God’s Love
When Jude speaks of “keeping” ourselves in God’s love, it reminds us of Jesus’ words in John 15:9-10: “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love…”
Jesus teaches that we remain in His love by obeying His commandments and following His ways. It’s about a close, daily relationship with God that grows through obedience, prayer, and faith.
Much like a child who knows their parents love them, yet still needs to live under their care and guidance to experience that love fully, we too need to walk in obedience to truly enjoy God’s love. The more we live according to His Word, the more we experience the blessings and closeness of His love.
2. Staying Close to God
God’s love for us never fades, but we can distance ourselves from experiencing it when we stray from His path. Sin, neglect of prayer, and indifference toward God’s Word can lead us away from the full experience of His love.
Keeping ourselves in God’s love means we stay close to Him, avoiding sin and the things that pull us away from Him. It’s about remaining in fellowship with God and being aware of His presence in our lives.
As believers, we must take active steps to draw near to God. This doesn’t mean He will stop loving us if we fail, but rather, we miss out on the joy and peace that comes from walking with Him daily.
In Jude 1:21, the call to “keep yourselves in the love of God” is an invitation to live in close fellowship with God, to walk in obedience, and to remain in the place where we experience His love daily. It’s not about keeping God loving us, because His love never changes. It’s about keeping ourselves in a place where we can enjoy