"KEEP" YOURSELF

“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: WHOEVER TURNS A SINNER FROM THE ERROR OF THEIR WAY WILL SAVE THEM FROM DEATH and cover over a multitude of sins.” (Jam. 5:19-20) [The soul here is presented as the principal part the one being saved, the saving of that soul is only mentioned, but it of course includes the salvation of the whole person: the spirit shall be saved from hell, the body raised from the grave, and both saved from eternal death. And then, because of this conversion of heart and life, a multitude of sins shall be hidden under the blood!] “…dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DIVIDE YOU, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 1:17-19) [We must not to be surprised if errors and persecutions arise and succeed in the Christ’s church; this was prophesied, and therefore we should not think that Jesus is losing influence in His, doctrine, or death on the cross, when we see things fulfilled. So what must we do?] “But you, dear friends, by BUILDING YOURSELVES UP in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, KEEP YOURSELVES IN GOD’S LOVE as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21) [We must not think it strange, but comfort ourselves with this, that in the midst of all this confusion Jesus WILL maintain his church, and make good his promise, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Mat_16:18! What we must do is build up and keep ourselves in Christ’s love! The way for us to assure our eternal destiny is to profess our faith and then HOLD ON IN IT. Having laid a sure foundation with a sincere upright heart, we must build upon it, continue to make progress; and we should take care with what materials we carry on our building, namely, gold, silver, precious stones, not wood, hay, stubble, 1Co_3:12.] “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others BY SNATCHING THEM FROM THE FIRE; to others show mercy, mixed with fear–hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 1:22-23) [We may have to go into places that are not comfortable for us to “pull” our loved one to safety!] “TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy– to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25)

Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WE MUST BUILD UP OURSELVES IN OUR MOST HOLY FAITH AND CONTINUE PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE MUST KEEP OURSELVES IN GOD’S LOVE!
-Bill Stockham