In the Olivette Discourse in Matthew 24, Jesus said that in the last days before His coming, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will wax cold.” Paul reiterates this thought in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 saying, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money….unloving, unforgiving, slandering others….lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; they will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.”
I appreciate this phrase of “waxing cold” because it implies a slow process happening over a period of time. When I watch believers take this pathway in their hearts, I see the slow progression downward. The enemy of our souls is subtle with his temptations and trixie; he sneaks in thoughts that if not checked and repented over, will overtake the once fervent soul. He leads astray after a time of trial or suffering, with whispered thoughts that are nothing but lies: “No one in the Body cares for you. Look, who has reached out to you? You are alone in your trial and after all you’ve done for others, where are they for your time of trial? Your favorite pastor has moved away. There’s no one who you can relate to. You have no friends, or your friends have gone astray; they were right to leave the church, as no one cares…or even notices.”
So, instead of choosing to love and serve out of obedience to Jesus Himself, we let our hearts slowly harden, isolating ourselves until we’re not even open to the ministry of others in our lives. It’s heartbreaking to watch, and it’s difficult to navigate through. I remember back six years ago when I was suffering a great personal and family trial. As I walked through the church doors I felt I was on the verge of breaking down emotionally. I cried out to the Lord, saying, “I can’t do this. I can’t reach out to others when I feel like I’m falling apart.” I can still hear the Lord’s words ringing in my hears: “You take care of My people and I will take care of you.” He changed my mindset in an instant and I was never the same. He did take care of me, marvelously and miraculously, and I renounced my self-absorption.
Times of heartache are crucial to not only battle in the great “fight of faith,” but also to resolve to keep our hearts soft and open—willing to serve and love God’s people. We will all love something or someone. We will pour our hearts out somewhere. Paul warns us not to love ourselves. Not to love money. Not to love pleasure. Not to become unsociable. Not to become accusatory toward everyone else. Not to just look godly, with all the right words, but to be transformed by Divine Power.
What we are to do is to ask God for His Spirit to rule and reign, to repent of selfishness and to obey His injunction in Colossians 3:12–14: So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
The truth that helps me obey this scripture is the truth Paul follows up with in verses 17 and 24 when he says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus….. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve!” We receive our orders and affirmation from Jesus our Lord. God is the God of all power and enablement and He loves to pour out His Spirit of Love within our very hearts (Rom. 5:5). He walked this path of love and is our example. He’s faithful to take care of us. But are we being faithful to take care of His greatest treasures, His very own?
