Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV) 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will
grow cold, 13 but he who
stands firm to the end will be saved.
Certain foods are best eaten hot,
and others cold. For example, cold or lukewarm coffee turns many people off. They
like it hot. Chicken soup that is cold is not as appealing as when it is hot,
especially on a raw winter day. When we sit down to a meal, Joanne frequently
takes her plate to the microwave because her food has cooled off too much for
her liking, and thus lost its appeal. Taste is somewhat like beauty. It is said
that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If so, then taste is on the tongue
(in the mouth) of the eater. What appeals to one person does not necessarily
appeal to another. Nevertheless, whatever food a person may be desiring and
expecting to be hot… will let that person down if it has grown cold.
I don’t know how to explain why or
how love grows cold. The only thing I can think of is that it was defective
from the beginning. By defective I mean that in some way it must have missed
the mark of what true love is: a totally other-centered act of one’s will
which, while often accompanied by good feelings and desire, does not require
them. A love grown cold is ultimately an act of a person’s will. It is something
chosen. In today’s culture it is experienced in many relationships, but the one
that stands out to me is marriage. There will be those reading this check-in who
will understand what I mean in a very personal way. They will know what it is
like to have the love of someone – or what you thought was the love of someone
– grow cold. When the heart of a spouse becomes hard (whether it results in
divorce or not) misery often follows. Rejection, insignificance, hurt and pain,
failure, confusion, anger, fear, and sorrow are just a few possible reactions
toward one whose love for you has grown cold – in any relationship. In these
situations the “why” question looms large in the heart and mind of the one no
longer loved.
As I preached from Matthew 24 last
week I didn’t have time to say anything about Jesus’ words in verse 12. But it
has been on my mind. Jesus tells the disciples that they will experience a time
when so-called believers in Jesus who have claimed to be His followers will
turn away from the faith (vs.10). Not only will they turn from faith, they will
do terrible things to those who remain faithful to Jesus. How could someone who
says they love Jesus be so cruel to a person who loves Jesus? Yet Jesus says
His disciples should expect this. And then He says the “love of most will grow
cold” (v.12). Who are the “most” – Christians or people of the world? And what kind
of love? Love for God? Love for followers of Christ? Or love toward people in
general? These are all very good questions – the answers to which Jesus does
not specify. My impression is that the answer may be “all of the above”. When a
person lives without regard to God – in any way – love (of all kinds) wanes and
evil waxes. This is hard to watch in the Body of Christ. It can become apparent
in many ways: there is no one manifestation of love grown cold. In His day
Charles Spurgeon described it this way…
“If the heart grows cold, everything
will be coldly done. When love declines, what cold preaching we have! All
moonlight light without heat; polished like marble, and as chill. What cold
singing we get, - pretty music, made by pipes and wind, but oh, how little
soul-song! - how little singing in the Holy Ghost, making melody in the heart
unto God ! And what poor praying! Do you call it praying? 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 needs hoard up
for ourselves, and live to grow rich. Is there anything that goes on as it
ought to go when love waxes cold?”
To answer that last question: No, it
does not. A love grown cold always has symptoms. These symptoms are observable
to others, especially if they are the ones who are (or should be) the objects
of the love. If a husband or a wife can observe them… if I, as a pastor, can
observe them… if brothers and sisters in Christ can observe them… if our
friends can observe them… even if I can sense them in myself… then certainly
our Lord can (see Revelation 2:4-5).
What is the state of your heart
today… toward God… toward your spouse, if married… toward other family members…
toward others in the church… toward unbelievers? Has your love grown cold in
any way? Are there clear symptoms in your life observable to particular people
in particular relationships?
What is the “answer” to love grown
cold? I only know of one: remembering and repenting. David, whose departure
into wickedness with Bathsheba brought much ruination, is a great example to
us. His detour into sin had let His heart become cold toward God. He had forgotten
who he was. He had forgotten all the Lord had done for him. You can read what
he says after being exposed by the prophet Nathan in Psalm 51. A small excerpt
is printed below. May the Lord help you and me whenever and however and
wherever our love has grown cold – even just “a little”. May we remember who we
are in Christ and all that He has done for us. And may we repent, so that the
Lord will restore our hearts to burn for Him and for those He has brought us
into relationship with. And may He be glorified.
Revelation 2:4-5
(NIV) 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your
first love. 5 Remember the height from which you have
fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will
come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Psalm 51:10 (NIV) Create in me a pure
heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:16-17 (NIV) 16
You
do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in
burnt offerings. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken
spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
PRAYER: Father, as hard as it is for me, please show
me where my heart has grown cold – especially toward you. Show me what in my
life would be different were my love for you on fire. Expose to me my heart,
and grant me grace to remove anything
not burning for you. Lead me to and through repentance so that the zeal
of my love for you will return to what it was the first day I knew you and
experienced the grace that saves. Show me where my love for others has followed
the same path, and kindle within my heart new affections and deeper loves for
them. In your mercy hear my prayer. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. AMEN.”
Jesus
Christ is Lord!
Scott
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