Keeping ourselves in the love of God

Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto life everlasting. 

- St. Jude, 21

I never thought about "keeping myself in the love of God" until recently. It must be possible, or the Apostle here would not command it. St. Paul teaches that "it is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance" (Rom. 2:4) - repentance being a cooperation between us and the grace of God. This cooperation continues as we keep ourselves in the love of God. 

How often have I dwelt on everything but the love of God! Nowhere is this love more profoundly communicated than at Calvary, where our Lord offered Himself for sinners. While meditation on the cross rightly stirs in us feelings of contrition and shame for our sins, it's work is only complete when we recognize the great love with which God has met us in Christ, at the point when we are most helpless, most unworthy of grace.

Lord, teach me how to keep myself in your love, and to trust in the mercy St. Jude tells us will come to us at our death or your return.

(personal meditation from 2013)