KEEP
“Keep
yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
unto eternal life.” Jude 21
This
is an active word. It denotes “to watch
over, persevere and is related to observing and giving heed unto as of keeping
commandments.”
We
are to be actively keeping ourselves in such a position - living inside the
parameters of the love of God by obedience as his child. We are admonished to
do our part (keep ourselves) obedient.
Then there is the promise of verse 24 – “Now
unto him that is able to keep you from falling…” We do our
part by obedience and God does His part!
As
life’s trials tempt us to throw off integrity, honestly and faithfulness, we
are to recognize that the mercy of God is there to give us strength to endure
and keep ourselves where we should be and doing what we know is right and
acceptable in the eyes of God; keeping ourselves inside His love and
protection.
It
might mean we need to add some things to our lives. It might mean we need to subtract some
things, but no matter what adjustments we are called upon to make, we make them
in order to show our love and obedience and to stay in His will.
Do
you need to make some adjustments in order to keep yourself in the love of God?
KEEP
“...to
keep himself unspotted from the world.”
James 1:27
Jim
Berg, in his book, Changed Into His Image, challenges the believer to
examine all areas of his life to see if they are “flesh-free”. He makes the analogy of fat-free foods to
paint a picture of the spiritual life void of potentially harmful
substances. The Book of James says that
a truly religious person will hold holiness and separation as a principle of
life. Being “unspotted” is to live
cleanly, to live untainted, to live on a different plain and by a different set
of standards.
Music
is but one area where the world makes a spot in our lives. DVD’s, movies, and other entertainments spot
us. Attitudes, priorities, and goals that do not match God’s Word also reveal
spots. Fashion and “alternative
life-styles” try to dictate our manner of life.
All of these things are the world’s attempt to pull us away from purity
and bring us away from God’s standard.
We
are not to be monk-like hermits, but our lives and loves should be
different. Our pleasures should be found
in Christ more than in what the world has to offer. Our deepest joys should be found in service
and fellowship. The world should be a
temporary place – not a comfort zone.
Is
your life “flesh-free”? Or, do you have
some harmful “fats” in your life that are causing spots?
KEEP
“...keep
in memory...” I Cor. 15:2
Paul
was admonishing believers to keep in memory the gospel, which had been preached
to them. This gospel had given them
eternal life and a solid foundation upon which to stand. Isaiah also tells us to remember where we
came from – a pit.
We
were lost and without hope until the Rock of our Salvation lifted us up and put
us on solid ground. “Hearken unto me, ye
that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock
whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.” Isaiah 51:1
Sometimes
we can get so full of ourselves as Christians that we forget we are simply
sinners who have been forgiven. We get
too prideful or too complacent about our position in Christ and become
judgmental, hard, and unforgiving. We
fail to keep the gospel in memory. We
lose our lustre and savour.
A
humble person is one who recognizes his place.
He knows where he came from, why he is here, and where he is going, but
he knows it is all from grace – not merit.
He serves so as to reach out and offer the same opportunity to
others. He keeps in memory the gracious
forgiveness of His Saviour and from there he follows on.
Do
you need to revisit the cross? Do you
need to take time to reflect on where you were when Christ found you? Have you grown judgmental and hard? Keep in memory the pit from whence you were
digged!
KEEP
“But
whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected.”
I
John 2:5
Obedience
is one of the key elements of a Christian life, yet one with which so many
struggle. We are quick to say that children
should obey their parents. Few would
argue that employees should obey their employers or that citizens should obey
the law. Yet, many adults struggle with those two simple points alone! We complain about rules and regulations and
thwart authority trying to get our own way.
And
when it comes to Bible, we all like to think that we are obedient - yet many
times we are guilty of using God’s Word deceitfully as we try to twist it just
enough to allow us to do what we want, or to make us look right.
If
we are going to keep His word faithfully and see God’s love maturing in us, we must
move to a higher level of obedience. We
will need to judge our actions and motives by His Word and we will have to
agree with God. There is no place for
arguing and debating with His Word.
There is no place for mixing His truth with worldly or faulty
philosophy. God’s Word can seem hard –
but the fruit is sweet and the reward sure to those who keep His Word.
The
obedient Christian shines like no other not only in the home, but also in the
workplace and community. Obedience
brings about it’s own blessing, and according to this verse, God’s love is
matured and revealed.
What
is your obedient quotient? How are you
doing in your attitude of obedience? Are
you keeping the law – the law of your employer, the wider community – in order
to let your light shine forth?
KEEP
“Let
them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls
to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” I Peter 4:19
No
one likes to suffer, especially when it feels undeserved. But suffering is a part of the will of
God. Suffering does not always mean that
we are doing wrong personally. Sometimes
it comes a part of growth, sometimes as a result of another’s mistakes, but
however it comes, Peter gives us an attitude or position from which to
endure.
Commit
the keeping – set before or entrust – your soul to God. It has the idea of submitting. You are saying, “Lord, I know and believe
that you are faithful. You are my
Creator. You know what is
happening. I can trust you to take me
through. I will not fight against your
will!”
A
little quote that is pinned up by my computer reads, “Don’t confuse your path
with your destination. Just because it’s
stormy now doesn’t mean that you aren’t headed for sunshine.” If we are going to commit the keeping of our
souls to God, we must believe that He has everything under control even in the
midst of a storm!
Then
Peter adds an active instruction – well doing.
It simply means doing good especially for the benefit of others. When time of suffering comes, we are
admonished not to let the focus be all on ourselves! Tiegreen put it this way, “Do not let the
pain become bigger than the Comforter.” Get up and do good!
Instead
of nursing your hurts, seeking revenge or falling apart, accept the suffering
for what it is – a test of your faith in God.
Set self aside and entrust your soul to him. Then, go out and do good. Do the next right thing for the benefit of
others and for the glory of God.
What
hurts or injustices do you need to commit to God? Are you wallowing in self-pity? Are you doing good for others, or waiting for
others to do good to you?
