"And The Love Of Many Will Grow Cold"

 

The love of many will grow cold ... This snippet of language from Matthew 24:12 is sitting heavy on my heart today. Perhaps it is because, as I sit here writing one day after the 25th anniversary of 9/11, one of the darkest days in America's history, I am overwhelmed at the capacity for sin that we humans possess. Just as I did after those evil attacks, I could not stop reading of the personal testimonies of the 2,977 souls who perished that day. And I am overwhelmed by the additional statistics that more than 145,000 people are sick, and nearly 10,000 have died from 9/11-related illnesses [as reported by the World Trade Center Health Program]. 

Perhaps the state of my soul is aligned with the understanding that, as I write this post today (September 12), it is the day marked for the Jewish Feast of Trumpets. And let me try and explain why this is significant. In Leviticus, the Lord declared that He has established His Feasts as holy convocations which His people shall proclaim at their appointed times. The Feast of Trumpets was to take place on the seventh month of the Jewish calendar, on the first day of the month. The website psalmwisdom.com states that the Torah instructions for this day are considerably shorter than the traditions that later developed around it via the Talmud and rabbinic teachings. The Torah, itself, gives a more concise command centered on sacred rest, assembly, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, and an offering made by fire to the Lord. 

It is important we understand that in view of the Feast of Trumpets, the trumpet functions as an alarm system for the people of God. Did you know that Joel 2:1 speaks of the trumpet as an alarm concerning the Day of the Lord? Or that Resurrection and transformation are associated with the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52? Or that 1 Thessalonians 4:16 points to Christ's descent with the trumpet of God? And then, ten days later, on September 20 at sunset, we will begin what is the holiest day in Judaism, the Day of Atonement, in which the focus is on atonement and repentance. 

I have been sitting with the Lord for the last day, aware of my need to both atone and repent, and my undeniable need of Christ. Twenty-five years ago was a wake-up call for every human being on earth. It's not the first warning that Evil was abounding on the earth. History for thousands of years has given testimony of the lawlessness and iniquity in mens' hearts. But the display on 9/11 touched our senses in a way that history did not provide. We heard the voices of the evil-doers, and witnessed the devastation of their heinous acts live and on our TV screens. We saw the people jumping to their deaths, the towers come crashing down, and the messages of pure love left by people who knew they were not coming home that day. We saw awe-inspiring displays of courage and faith on a scale, and in ways, we have never experienced before. 

Yet, Evil has not waned in the ensuing years since 9/11/2001. In fact, it has increased. And the love of many continues to grow cold. There are those who will say that this level of evil has always existed. It's just that technology has allowed it to be seen "up close and personal" every second of every day. But that doesn't align with what Scripture is trying to tell us in Matthew 24:12. Pay close attention to the words and meaning of this important verse ... The ESV version says "because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold". The Amplified version says "the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity". The King James version tells us "because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold [grow, rise, expand, deepen]." As a human race, we will see evil, lawlessness, and iniquity proliferate [increase rapidly, multiply, mushroom, escalate, snowball], and the love of men for each other [and God] will diminish and dwindle [grow cold]. 

And it is here that the commentary of the celebrated theologian Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) speaks loudly to me: "Here is something to tremble at: 'Because iniquity shall abound' -- that is worse than pestilence; Because 'the love of many shall wax cold', -- that is worse than persecution. If the heart grows cold, everything will be coldly done. When love declines, what cold preaching we have! What cold singing we get -- pretty music, made by pipes and wind, but how little soul-song! What poor praying and what little giving. When the heart is cold, the hands can find nothing in the purse; and Christ's Church, and Christ's poor, and the heathen may perish, for we must hoard up for ourselves, and live to grow rich. Is there anything that goes on as it ought to go when love waxes cold?" 

I fear that our society today has lost the fear of God as we justify ourselves. We have persuaded ourselves that we are a "good" person -- we donate to charities, we pay our debts, we have a stellar reputation; we may even confess our sins and trust in our own righteousness. We tell ourselves, "Just look at the evil in all those others!"

 My spirit was absolutely aggrieved to discover [through Tim Tebow's Foundation] that America is the #1 buyer of Live-streamed child rape in the world!!! The buyers are concentrated in wealthier nations, while the child victims are concentrated in places of extreme poverty. It works like this: A man in one country pays someone in another country to abuse a child on camera -- in real time. He watches it happen live, and he directs exactly what he wants done. I will spare you the horrific and graphic testimony of one child's 15 minute "shows", 15 to 20 times per day, seven days a week. Here's just how easy and hidden this abhorrent abuse is taking place: She wasn't trafficked by some distant cartel. She was trafficked because an American man with Wi-Fi and a credit card wanted her to be. What kind of heart exists in a man who only sees this child as a product to sell in 15 minute increments? And the love of many will grow cold. 

We must begin dealing honestly with our Savior and Redeemer -- and ourselves!  The world will tell you that your "good deeds" are sufficient reasons for God to receive you into His Kingdom. But that's a lie from hell! It is by God's grace that we are saved through faith, and can gain entrance into His eternal Kingdom with Him. It is His power to give us what we cannot accomplish ourselves; a free gift, not of our own works, but from the understanding that we are created in Christ Jesus. Our identity lies in Him, not in anything of ourselves.  

So, with all this being said, I recognize that Evil is growing, and I am aware that I am accountable for the condition of my heart. I pray daily (and often into the middle of the night), for God to cleanse my heart and help me to love others as He loves them. We must guard against letting our love grow cold. Increased lawlessness and wickedness is not an excuse to abandon the spirit of love that Christ Jesus has given us. In fact, let our hearts be on fire to give the testimony that His death was not in vain; that we walk according to the Spirit who lives in us, seeking regeneration of our hearts and love that results in repentance, humility and an inner yielding to God's lordship and sovereignty in our lives. Let us be the remnant whose love never grows cold! 

Ezekiel 36:26-27.      And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit with you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and heed my ordinances and do them.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Caution: The Love of Many Will Grow Cold. How You Respond Matters!

It didn't take long. Less than a week after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the dark side has rallied its physical and spiritual troops to continue their torrent of hate and misrepresentation of those who have chosen to honor Charlie's life as a brother in Christ. Whether they agreed with him or not on his politics or opinions of the culture, millions saw him as a human being with God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

Charlie was definitely pursuing what made him happy. He felt the call of God on his life to encourage this generation to think for themselves; to live a righteous and Godly life; and to speak boldly and courageously about saving this country, incorporating their faith into every thing they do and say. I honestly think that Satan was surprised and shocked at the response of millions who rallied to the memory of Charlie and what he stood for. I think it knocked the kingdom of darkness back on its heels. But within just a few days, the attacks began in earnest ... the laughing and mocking of his brutal death; the vile remarks began showing up on social media; and the deluded and deceived began making personal attacks, whitewashing any and all who honored Charlie with a broad brush of racism, misogyny, and hatred because we have different opinions. To make matters even more offensive, their accusations were false. And incredibly saddening, many of these anti-Charlie critics identify themselves as "Christians".

I know this, because I have recently [but not surprisingly] been attacked for my thoughts on the impact of Charlie's life and death. It was the very epitome of Matthew 24:12, And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cold. I was shocked to read the message I received because it came from someone whom my husband and I had kind of taken under our wing and ministered to; allowing Jesus to use us to deliver them from emotional trauma [and all that results from that kind of pain] into the glorious freedom of His love. There has been no contact for several years and then the email arrives painting us in a false light and criticizing us for being hateful followers of Charlie Kirk, who was categorized as racist, misogynist, and a hypocrite in his faith. It didn't take long to understand that trying to have a rational conversation was only increasing the harsh rhetoric. There was no desire for reconciliation; only a lust for condemnation.

I should have made no effort to answer the first time, and just ignored the angry outburst. I naively hoped that I could present our case and understanding would win the day. I am not going to share my thoughts about what was behind the attack, because I am not going to plant seeds of hate that are being sown into our citizenry by Satan and his minions. Instead, I want to caution everyone to prepare for similar aggression and hostility. It is a form of persecution that, I believe, will grow stronger and wider in the days to come. If we are truly followers of Christ, then we must come to understand that this was prophesied by our Lord, Himself... If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you... this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated Me without reason."  

Understand this: you will be hated without reason. But God has chosen you to be in the world at this time for a reason. Like Charlie, we are all here to represent Jesus in a world that is growing cold and dangerous. How will we respond? We know, as the Bible informs us, that people will be lovers of self and self-focused [narcissistic], lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, unholy and profane, unloving [and devoid of human affection], brutal, haters of good, and much more [2 Timothy 3:2-5]. So, again, I ask -- how will you respond? We saw how Charlie chose to answer his critics -- with boldness, facts, and a spirit that enjoyed debate, always ending the conversation by glorifying his God, whom he served with delight and courage. The end of 2 Timothy, Chapter 3 tells us to "Avoid such people and keep far away from them."

Now, I believe that advice is given to us when there is still a chance to circumvent the hatred, and restore harmony between the parties. But I also believe that the Enemy does not want that to occur in the aftermath of this assassination, and has unleashed a new level of iniquity and willful rebellion against God and His people. I pray harmony and reconciliation can be restored, but I don't think that is Satan's plan. In response, God gives us 2 Timothy, Chapter 4: He charges us to "preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not -- keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable; whether convenient or inconvenient; whether welcome or unwelcome." Subsequently, we are "to correct, in love, those who err either in doctrine or behavior; warn those who sin; exhort and encourage those who are growing toward spiritual maturity with inexhaustible patience and faithful teaching".

We are already seeing signs of what the Bible calls "the time to come" when people won't tolerate God's Truth, but will only listen to false teachers and prophets who satisfy their own desires, and who support the errors and deceptions they are holding onto. They will adopt the narrative that is spoon-fed to them by Satan's partners in the arena of public discourse -- those man-made arguments and false indictments that will keep the masses stirred up and in emotional turmoil. But what does Jesus tell us to do?  He cautions us in 2 Timothy 4:5 to "be clear-headed [and calm and cool and steady] in every situation; to endure every hardship [without flinching]; to do the work of an evangelist; and to fulfill [the duties of] our ministry".  

Jesus, Himself, accomplished this task as He neared His crucifixion and death. And I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that Charlie Kirk fulfilled that same purpose. We are to do the same. I don't think we can deny that iniquity is abounding in this moment, or that the love of many of our fellow citizens has grown cold. I am spending some serious time with the Lord struggling with how to manage my flesh over the Evilness and Lawlessness that resulted in Charlie Kirk's assassination, and how to endure the false accusations over the intentions of my heart. Matthew 24 assures us that if we stand firm and endure until the end, we will be saved from the wrath of God against the rebellious and receive the hope and promise that we will dwell with Him for eternity. Furthermore, the Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. 

So, how am I going to respond? Forgiveness has to be an essential part of my response, as hard as it is for my flesh to accomplish that in those moments when the world's attacks are strongest. And prayer will be a part of my process, as well. My neighbors, who are good, Godly people soothed my soul and spirit when they remarked that sometimes, the best thing we can do is pray for those people who are rebelling against the Kingdom and trust God to do what we cannot. Amen to that! And Lord, may we all glorify You in these difficult and dangerous days. May we be bold and courageous in our faith, as Your Servants were at the dawn of Christianity.

Acts 4:29-30      And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all boldness, while you stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the Name of Your Holy Servant [and Son] Jesus.