“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” ~ Matthew 24:12
REFERENCE:
Matthew 24:9-12
Today, Christianity is on trial like it has never been in its history. The Christian faith is regularly bashed on social media to the point where many Christians are ashamed to identify with Jesus. Gospel ministers are under attack, the miraculous is mocked, and those who speak up for the faith are branded as overzealous ‘holier-than-thou’ hypocrites. Hence, their love has gone cold.
Church attendance is declining globally; the younger generation does not seem to find the relevance of the church in their lives; the mediocrity, scandals, and disconnectedness of the church increase their suspicion of the church. The devil is all-out to discredit and destroy every expression of the kingdom of God on earth. Satan has brought the whole world under his sway.
Jesus was answering His disciples’ questions about the signs of the times and the end of the age. He spoke about the emergence of false prophets, wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. He concluded by saying that lawlessness would increase, and the love of many believers would grow cold. Those times are upon us, and many believers are oblivious to Satan’s attacks or plans to derail them on their journey to heaven. Many are ignorant of the wiles of the devil.
It is sad that as darkness increases, the light of believers is growing dim. While satan works to take our churches, infiltrate our schools with cults, get our boys hooked on drugs and our girls chasing vanities, and take over the land with false religion, we are busy chasing money, cars, recognition, and breakthroughs. We have forgotten what it means to seek the Kingdom of God first, trusting God to add the things we seek to us. Love gone cold is what best describes us.
Do you still burn for the Lord? Are you fervent in serving God? Have you been drawn away from your first love by the cares of this world? Do you know that God’s heart bleeds at the moral decay around you and wants you to do something about it? God is calling you back to the place of prayer, study of the word, and evangelism. Get involved in bearing God’s burden by serving in your church, financially supporting the gospel message, and investing in teaching the next generation.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Revelation 2:4-5, Revelation 3:14-17, and Philippians 1:9
PRAYER:
+ Lord, I pray that You will place Your burden in my heart so that the things that matter to You will matter to me.
+ Deliver me from the distraction of vanity, riches, and the cares of this world. May I be focused on promoting your kingdom anywhere I find myself, in Jesus’ name.
+ Father, restore my first love for You; cause me to burn with passion for You again.
