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If a person is going to keep themselves in the love of God, then knowing what the love of God is must be important. This is an appropriate command whether Jew or Gentile, whether past, present, or future. In other words, this is not a limited instruction; it has no time stamp on it. The recipients of this instruction are those sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called according to Jude.
This is the same type of thing that Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:5. Notice the love of God in both verses is something people are directed into and are to keep themselves in. And that’s tied to waiting for Jesus Christ. Paul wanted the Thessalonians to have their hearts directed into the love of God while Jude wanted his folks to keep themselves in the love of God.
Let’s look at where this phrase the love of God shows up.
Luke 11:37-44
Religion is not the love of God. When there is an unbalanced focus on appearance, it’s very clear that you’re seeking men’s approval and are not interested in God’s approval. This gets to the heart of the matter. People either seek reward from other people or they seek reward from God. Read the entire context of Luke 11:37-44 showing the LORD tries the hearts.
John 5:39-47
How did Jesus identify their lack of God’s love? Because they wouldn’t receive him. Jesus also says there is no way you believe God because you seek honor from each other. Jesus points them to the scriptures that they said they believed, but for some reason couldn’t find him there.
Romans 5:1-5
The Holy Ghost is the instrument who imparts the love of God into the believer through the scriptures he’s inspired. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. And notice the love of God connected to hope and the future like it is in Jude and Thessalonians.
1 John 3:13-17
This is reminiscent of John 5 that we read earlier.
1 John 4:7-13
This ties everything up really. It brings in what Paul said in Romans 5 about the Spirit of God in those that are of God.
