DAY 65: JUDE

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.” (Jude 1:20-21)

Dear Christian,

Abide in God’s love.

How do we keep ourselves in the love of God? The first time the word “keep” shows up in Scripture is in Genesis where it says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15)

Like a gardener who tends and guards his garden, we are called, not to passivity or idleness, but to active participation in faith, prayer, hope, and compassion for others. We are to be diligent in nurturing our relationship with God and guarding our hearts against anything that might distance us from His love.

And as we fall and stumble our way towards God, we can take heart knowing that it is God who ultimately keeps us, and He does not fail. “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

Praise the Lord!

Love,
Patsy

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Created as part of the Books of the Bible Collection where I meditate on God’s beauty and faithfulness from beginning to end for 66 days from Genesis to Revelation. Each painting will be accompanied by an envelope containing a personal reflection based on the text the painting is based on.

An 8x10 inch original watercolor painting on 100% cold pressed cotton paper, 2023.