Scripture
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 1:20–21, NKJV)
Devotional
Again Jude begins with those beautiful words: “But you, beloved…”
Others may abandon truth.
Others may follow their own desires.
Others may mock what God has said.
But you…
Jude has warned believers about spiritual deception, but he does not want them consumed with watching what everyone else is doing. He turns their attention toward their own walk with God.
And he gives them four steady practices: Build. Pray. Keep. Look.
Build yourselves up on your most holy faith.
A strong spiritual life does not develop accidentally. We are strengthened as we remain grounded in the truth God has given, knowing His Word, believing it, and living according to it.
Pray in the Holy Spirit.
We are not meant to face spiritual battles in our own strength. Prayer keeps us dependent upon God, seeking His will rather than merely asking Him to accomplish ours.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Jude is not suggesting that we earn or maintain God’s love by our performance. He is calling us to remain where His love can govern our lives, to abide in fellowship with Him rather than wandering toward the very influences he has warned against.
Look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Our eyes are ultimately fixed forward. This world is not our destination. Christ is coming, and eternal life with Him is our hope.
What a beautiful pattern for living faithfully in confusing times.
We do not need to obsess over every deception around us.
We need to remain deeply rooted in what is true.
Build in the faith.
Pray in the Spirit.
Remain in His love.
Look for Christ.
The world may become increasingly unsettled, but the believer does not have to become unsettled with it.
Stay close to the Lord.
That is where strength is found.
Takeaway & Reflection
Spiritual strength grows through an intentional life of abiding in God.
- Build your life upon the truth of Scripture.
- Depend upon the Holy Spirit through prayer.
- Remain close to God and let His love govern your life.
- Keep your hope fixed on Jesus Christ and eternity with Him.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Keep me close to You. Build me up in the truth of Your Word and teach me to depend upon Your Spirit in prayer. Guard my heart from anything that would draw me away from fellowship with You. Help me remain in Your love and keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and the eternal life You have promised.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.