Life Lessons From Jude - Boundaries of Love

Jude 1:21 (TLB)

Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you. Wait patiently for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.

Emphasis Mine

The word “boundary” has a negative connotation in our society today because it comes across as restricting, limiting, etc. However, I’ll like us to take a closer look at this word from a different perspective. How do we stay within the boundaries of God’s love?  We are told in scripture that God is Love (1 John 4:8b (NIV)). Scriptures also tell us that love is patient; love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4(NIV)). Therefore, we ought to keep ourselves in God (by keeping yourselves in God, you are in other words keeping yourselves within His approved standards).

It takes a conscious effort to do so, otherwise, we will stray out of the established boundaries.

John 14:21a (NIV)

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

It suffices to say here that if you do not keep God’s commandments, you do not love Him. And we can agree that this action takes you out of the boundaries of God’s love. The only time when we can expect to receive His blessings is when we walk in obedience to Him - When you keep His commandants.

Be purposeful and knowledgeable about this Love. Be consistent and persistent in loving. Above all, live in obedience.

Life Lessons From Jude - Build

When we hear the word “build”, we immediately think about a house or an ongoing project. Let’s look at the word from a different perspective.

Jude 1:20 (TLB)

But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

Emphasis Mine

There are many ways we can choose to build our lives. Yet, Jude is suggesting to us in his epistle the very sure way to do so. That is when we build upon the foundation of our most holy faith. (This building is guaranteed to be stable, steadfast and productive). He is suggesting that we build upon the gift of God’s faith to us. In this case, saving faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Emphasis Mine

Without God’s gift of saving faith, we will not have the Holy Spirit in us who teaches us how to pray. It is important because it is through praying in tongues that we build up our lives. It is impossible to have your life build without the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

So, by implication, for you to even attempt building your life,

·       First, you must be saved

·       You need to acknowledge your salvation as the foundation for your building

·       You need to allow yourself to be taught by the Holy Spirit – he is the best teacher.

One thing is certain when you build your life with the help of the Holy Spirit, you can guarantee that your life will stand firm. For the glory of the Lord. Amen!

John 14:16 (NKJV)

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.

Emphasis Mine