Jude 1:21 (KJV)

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

When we read the bible, often times we read superficially. On the surface level it seems as though God is asking us to do something but always remember that the bible is a description not a perscription. This means it's describing something, not telling us to do something.

Jude 1:21 seems like it's telling us to "keep yourselves in the love of God," but it’s essential to understand that this is not something we do by our own strength.

The love he's talking about is a Godly love, something us humans cannot have on our own. 

Our ability to remain in God’s love is sustained by God Himself through Jesus Christ, who he sent for the propitation for our sins. The power to remain in God's love comes from Him.

It is God who initiates, sustains, and completes our faith.

Because of our imperfections, God sent Jesus to reconcile us to his love. Without Jesus, there is no love and we can never have a relationship with God. That is why Jude calls us to look for his mercy, which is eternal life through Christ. True mercy and grace can only come from Jesus. It also involves waiting for that promise. At times we waver in our faith and that is why Joel says "Keeping yourselves in the love of God". Keeping means to always remember who we are through because of God's love. We must always wait on God and trust in his timing.

Why? Because Faith is patience and patience is a Faith.

Patience demonstrates our trust in God's promises, even when we do not see immediate results. We wait because we belief that God is working in our lives and will fulfill His promises.

Even though we may not feel perfect or see ourselves as perfected and worthy of God's love, Jesus assures us that we are already perfected in Him. God loved us so much that he gave his only begotten son for us. We were supposed to pay for our sins but Jesus paid instead. We were supposed to die and burn but Jesus took our place. We were supposed to perish and be forsaken but Jesus was forsaken in our place. God is truly merciful and loving. 

Our citizenship in heaven is secure because of what Jesus has done, not because of our efforts. We only need to believe and wait until the day that we meet him in heaven.

Waiting on God requires patience, and patience is a demonstration of faith. Faith, in turn, is rooted in love. By waiting patiently and trusting in God's timing, we show our love for Him. 

Keeping ourselves in love is not about striving or straining to be perfect, but resting in the perfection that Jesus has already provided for us.

Are you waiting on God’s timing and trusting in His promises, or are you trying to achieve things by your own strength?

I hope every one of us can throw our thoughts away and unite our hearts with God and his timing. God is love and he is more than capable of providing all things. Ask God today to give you more patience which in turn will strengthen your faith. Amen!