Preservation in Keeping our Heart

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Pro 4:23)

Jude addressed his letter to those sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ, and one of the encouragements at the end was to keep ourselves in the love of God. Can we walk out of Christ’s preservation? Didn’t Jesus say ‘neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand’ (John 10:28)? Careful reading will tell us that He will not allow anyone to pluck us out, but we can come out of the realm of His protection.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Mat 24:12)

The critical part of our soul that can cause our drifting and eventual back-sliding is the heart. Relationship requires whole heartedness in love, lest unfaithfulness creeps in. All of life’s greatest significance lies in the heart (Luke 12:34). Losing our first love can result of our removal from Christ’s church (Rev 2:4, 5); as the light requires a lamp stand, so the Holy Spirit requires a temple (1Cor 6:19).

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (Mat 15:18)

The seat of our will and emotion need to come under the subjection of the Lordship of Jesus Christ and filled with love for our Redeemer. He will not tolerate any competing affections with that which is evil and even that which is good. The good and sweetness of our soul can be the breeding ground of self-righteousness.

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:21)

Keeping ourselves in the total affection to our Lord results in singleness of heart; singleness to please only One. Sadly there are those who have join Christian fellowships and assemblies with self serving attitude, bearing no fruit of repentance (Jude 1:12). Keep our hearts in the right stature in reverential love to the Lord and He will do the rest to preserve us until the day of His coming.