Near the end of his short epistle, Jude urged his readers, “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude 21). But, how can I do that? First of all, we need to remember that Jesus said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love” (John 15:10). So, I cannot abide in the love of God without obeying His commandments.
Specifically, Jude gives three things upon which we need to concentrate. The verb, “keep yourselves,” is an imperative and is the leading verb in the sentence. There are three other verbs that are participles, which show how one is to fulfill the main verb. Read it like this: Keep yourselves in the love of God by (1) “building yourselves up on your most holy faith,” (2) “praying in the Holy Spirit” and (3) “looking earnestly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 20-21). How much are you continually building up your faith? How much are you praying? How much are you looking for the return of Christ? Each of these will indicate if you are keeping yourself in the love of God.