Last Friday I reran a post from 2020 on the thought of being a “kept man.” This morning, as I finish up in Jude, the keeping keeps keeping on.

Jude would have liked to have written to those “called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ” (1:2) about their “common salvation” (1:3). Yet, among those who were “kept” had come those who had “crept” — ungodly people who perverted the grace of God (1:4). Thus, among the believers there were some pretty questionable behaviors.

Yeah, there it was . . . among the believers. In the church. The way of Cain, the error of Balaam, and the rebellion of Korah (1:11). Hidden reefs, waterless clouds, fruitless trees, wild waves, wandering stars (1:12). All within the church. Talk about your tares among the wheat (Mt. 13:36-43)!

And within that context, for the kept the keeping keeps keeping on.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray 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. . . .

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

(Jude 1:20-21, 24-25 ESV)

Keep yourselves. God, our Savior, is able to keep you.

Guard yourself. He will guard you.

Watch yourself. He will keep watch over you.

Attend carefully to your steps with Jesus. He will attend carefully ensuring you stand firm in Jesus.

Me and He. That’s how the keeping keeps keeping on.

Though with flaky flesh without, and despite an obstinate old man within, I purpose with holy determination to pursue the kingdom in the King’s way by the King’s power. I keep myself in the love of God. But thank God it’s not left entirely to me.

For God, with steadfast love, new mercies every morning, and grace abounding also keeps an on me and is able to keep me from stumbling. Able to finish the work He begun in me (Php. 1:6). Able to present me to Himself as part of His glorious church “not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:27).

I head into the day mindful of keeping myself. I head into the day confident of His ability to keep me until the day I see my Savior face to face. I head into the day resting in the reality that it’s not just up to me, but up to “we” . . . for it’s “no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). So, we will keep the keeping keeping on.

By His grace. For His glory.