Perfectpeace

Matthew 24:12-13″Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

This is part of the answer Jesus gave when asked the signs of His coming and end of age.

It would be prudent to read the whole chapter for your selves but today we are concentrating on love growing cold.

It is very clear we are leaving at the end of times, Jesus return is approaching fast.

He is warning us not to let our love get cold. He is not talking to the world. He is talking to his followers.

Remember, Jesus has commanded us ( Matthew 22:37-39l
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

He also added

” But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Mathew 5:44

And in

John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

So Jesus followers are to be known for being loving to each other and loving their enemies.

What does it mean then love being cold?

One of the first signs of death in the body is temperature drop, and the gets ice cold.

Your love growing cold means it is dying.

And the cause for this growing coldness of love is increasing wickness.

As the end approaches, we understand that it will be just like before Noah’s entry to the ark where the thought of the people were continually evil.

As we look around us, it is evident the condition of humanity is getting  worse. There is so much depravity,  cruelty, selfishness, and disregard for human life.

So what should we do so our love does not grow cold? How do we keep the love alive?

1- understand that the Holy Spirit pours love in our heart. We don’t love because we are good. We love because we are born of God, who is love and he also gives us the grace.

Romans 5:5: “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

2- We belong to God, who loves sinners and condems sin. We should be able to separate the person from the act.

3- Forgive as we have been forgiven.

We are all Barabas, murderers, who broke the law and deserved death. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners and enemies of God.

4- Not to expect the world to love us.

Jesus has clearly said in John 15:18: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”

The way the world treated Jesus, it will do so to his desciples. If you think the world should stretch red carpet for you for bringing good news, that won’t happen.

We follow Jesus to the cross. We expect glory in the glorious kingdom, not here.

If we understand these, we will be praying for those who are in the dark, under the influence of darkness , and our love won’t grow cold. It will stand to the end.

Shalom.