“….The Love Of Many Will Grow Cold”
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
In reading the context, there’s no question that the societal conditions discussed in the first part of Matthew 24, came to pass before the destruction of Jerusalem. However, similar conditions will exist before the second coming as well (cf. 2 Timothy 3:11-13). The rising persecution and hatred from without the body of Christ as well as the deteriorating conditions within the body of Christ, are remarkably similar in describing both events.
This fact calls for a strong and special admonition from the Lord for his true disciples to remain faithful no matter what happens in the future (Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13; Revelation 2:10). And in order to remain faithful, Christians are to faithfully adhere to the inspired instructions found in the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
Our Lord plainly foresaw that the same evil influences which prevailed during his personal ministry in the first century, would continue to operate following his resurrection and the establishment of His kingdom into the twenty-first century and beyond. The apostle John foresaw the same thing happening in 1 John 2, where he writes concerning the coming of the anti-christs, who were already at work in the first century deceiving folks (1 John 2:18; cf. Matthew 24:11); and brethren, they still are in the twenty-first century!
Then in Matthew 24:12, our Lord states the following truth:
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
The phrase, “The love of many will grow cold,” sadly not only includes non-believers, but believers as well (Matthew 24:3-5,11; Acts 20:28-30; cf. 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 1 John 2:18-19). Also, see commentary 1 & commentary 2.
Obviously, the first century society that our Lord found Himself a part of, is similar to the type of society that we have in the twenty-first century. Just like the first century, lawlessness at every level of society still abounds (just note recent news events). This lawlessness has effected not only society as a whole, but members of the Lord’s church as well regarding the love of our fellow man and fellow brethren; and yes, even God Himself (Romans 1:21-32).
It is this writer’s observation, that we’re not as loving today as we were three generations ago. We’re not actively engaging in saving lost souls as our Lord has instructed (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). We don’t visit fellow members of the Lord’s church as we once did. With all of our cell phone technology, we don’t even take the time to call fellow members to see how they are doing during the week (and it only requires one button to press on a speed-dial list). We don’t take the time to actually communicate to one another in an effective manner. We talk “at” one another and “to” one another, but not “with one another.”
There’s no question that lawlessness found in our present-day society, has caused a major lack of trust between individuals; lies and deception being engrained in the very fabric of our society. Trust is a necessary ingredient in any relationship, whether personal or business related. Without trust, effective communication goes out the window, and successful loving relationships are thwarted.
Brethren and friends, let’s make our love for God, our fellow man, and our brethren priority number one (Matthew 6:33; 1 Peter 1:18-22; 1 John 3:16). The love of our fellow brethren is a spiritual barometer to non-believers, that we are the Lord’s disciples [followers] (John 13:34-35). And we need use that spiritual barometer to its greatest extent (Matthew 5:14-16).
In a world of hatred, madness and mayhem, may we never allow our love to grow cold.