Introduction: In these last verses, Jude concerns himself with practical aspects of living the Christian life. He said we should pray in the Holy Spirit, and we discussed that a week ago. Next he says to "keep ourselves in the love of God." What does he mean by that?

I. He does NOT mean that we should do some things that will influence God to continue to love us. God loved us from eternity past, he loved us while we were still in our sins, he will continue to love us for eternity future -- not based on our deeds, or our character, but rather based on the love which is a part of His inner character. He loves us because He is loving, not because we deserve it. Paul describes the love of God in Ephesians 2:1-10. We cannot earn His love. We are powerless to make Him love us more or longer.

II. Basically Jude is telling us to love others as God loves us.

A. There are two words for love in the New Testament: philia and agape.
Philia means feelings of affection. This is the love we hear about all the time. It means "I like you a lot!" There is nothing wrong with this kind of affection, and it makes life pleasant. But it is not the highest love.

B. Agape means the love of God, and has nothing to do with feelings of affection, rather it means to take an attitude of responsibility, of committment, of faithfulness, of righteousness and mercy toward the person you are loving. Jesus taught that God has this kind of love for the whole world (John 3:16). The word "so" does not "so much," but "in this way."

C. Jesus made the distinction between "philia" and "agape" plain to Peter following the resurrection (John 21:15-17). Jesus asked Peter twice if he loved Jesus with "agape" love. Both times Peter said "no," he would only claim "philia" love. Peter did that because he was acutely conscious that he had denied Christ three times just a few days earlier, after telling Jesus that he loved Him more than the other disciples did. He was embarassed! Then Jesus really put on the pressure, and said, "Do you really have even "philia" love?" To which Peter, very embarassed, said "Yes."

D. Note: Jude, and other verses in the New Testament, give this as a command.
We are ordered by God to love Him, our families and our neighbors. This is not a command to feel affection, or to like. We cannot command our feelings. But it is a command to take a certain attitude, and to act in a certain way: In faithfulness, responsibility, justice and mercy. Jesus said that we should show our love to Him, not by feelings, but by keeping the commandments (John 14:15).

III. "Love others as God loves you." What does that mean in practical terms?

A. What does it mean between husband and wife?

B. What does it mean between parent and child?

C. What does it mean between a Christian and his community?

Conclusion: Feelings are pleasureable. It is nice to feel affectionate toward another person, and it is nice to feel that someone else feels affection toward you. But this has nothing to do with the love that God expects us to manifest in our lives. We are commanded to keep our selves in the love of God, and to love others as God has loved us: with justice and mercy, with faithfulness and responsibility. This is not a call to feeling, but a call to action. May the Lord help each of us to be determined to obey God, and to manifest the love of God in all our relationships.