Staying Healthy
Today’s Verse:
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ~Jude 21
Preventive care is when we exercise proactive measures for our safekeeping. Examples of this include getting routine physicals, dental exams, and eye exams. Other examples of this are eating well, drinking lots of water, and exercising. Preventive care keeps us healthy and happy. In a similar fashion, the Christian life is most optimal when we exercise preventive care when it comes to Christian duty.
We see the need for loving maintenance.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God....” We should always be careful to allow the love of God to be the driver in everything that we do in life. God’s love is the ultimate pinnacle in Christian maturity. When we are able to love as God loves, we see past the sins and faults of others. We understand how love covers a multitude of sins. When we keep ourselves in the love of God, our giving is greatly impacted. We do not give based upon what we can get back; we give based upon how much more we can give away. God’s love must permeate us completely. God’s love keeps us tender, thoughtful, and useful.
We see the need to look for mercy.
“Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” We are to keep our sight focused on the Lord’s return. It very well could be that the things on earth prior to the Lord’s return could be very trying and difficult for believers. We should desire the Lord’s coming because we long to be with Him and not because we seek judgment upon others. Looking for the Lord’s return keeps us steady, vigilant, and prepared. We will be more sober-minded about how we live, where we go, and who we associate with.
We see the need of laboring as a missionary.
“And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Here, our focus should be on reaching people with the gospel. We are to move with a sense of great love and urgency. There are some who require much compassion. Others require fear because they are not as concerned about their soul as we are. Laboring as a missionary implies staying after sinners. It implies a search-and-rescue mentality. We must be about the business of winning souls.
We see the need to be lively and motivated.
“Building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” Preventive care for our Christian life requires building up our spiritual life through the Word of God and prayer. This kind of praying entails intensity and much wrestling. It is the outpouring of our souls before God for people and needs. It is praying that has transitioned from simple phrases to where there is utter dependence upon God for an answer.
Preventive care in Christian living requires focus, attention, concern, and sobriety. Don’t take your Christian life lightly. Invest much effort into keeping yourself. Don’t wait for the bottom to drop out under you before you really live for the Lord. Keep the devil at bay by keeping yourself. Follow these steps, and watch as your spiritual life sees continuous victory and growth!
Have a preventive God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Judges 10-12