Perspective

   By L. Jim Tuck

   May 4, 2023

The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold

Greetings from sunny Phoenix,

            We are always sobered to read the statistics regarding Christianity. In a shocking report released in April, 2023, “A new study by Christian pollster George Barna comparing Americans’ religious beliefs and practices before and after the COVID pandemic finds some stunning departures from biblically faithful Christianity — including a 14-point drop, from 58%-44%, in the percentage of ‘born-again’ Christians who believe Jesus lived a sinless life on Earth. In another finding of the report, it compares religious beliefs and practices in 2020, before the pandemic, to 2023, found a huge drop among born-again Christians — from 85% to just 50% — who say they are ‘deeply committed to practicing [their] faith.’”

            My loving wife is my very best and closest friend, and we have served together in the ministry of Jesus Christ for nearly a half century. The closest other friends I have had are also in the church. Many of them were fellow elders, and some neighboring pastors. Not only have they been good friends, but they have been like brothers to me over the years. There are so many others who we count as dear friends and we cherish our times together. Over the years some of those same friends have died, and I miss them and think of them often, and look forward very much to seeing them in the resurrection in the future.

            It has been and is a privilege to know such wonderful people. These friendships are so special and give us a real taste of what God intended for all of us to experience, a unique familial relationship with our fellow human beings. King Solomon stated wisely the importance of choosing the right friends, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

            I expect our friendships in the church community will last our lifetimes and on into eternity. However, it concerning to see the direction of this country and the world. Famous singer and song writer Bob Dylan wrote a song titled, “The Times They Are A-Changin,” and the closeness of people in the world around us is just not the same.

 

            My parents lived in a country community where no one locked their doors at night, and they knew people from all around. When my mother and father died, people showed up at the funeral I had never heard of, and they had funny stories to tell and tears to shed. It is often true of those of the generation of the depression and World War II and Korea War eras.

            Today, many don’t know their next-door neighbor let alone the folks down the street or in the community in which they live. People are increasingly drawing apart, and they are leery of involvements with one another.  Jesus Christ gave this as one of the important signs of the end of the age.  He said, “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:11-13)

 

            Jesus said the love of people would grow cold, but why? He said this would be a result of the lack of a solid foundation of what is right and wrong. People would toss away the foundation of the very laws God gave to make life work, and as a consequence, their affection would chill towards each other.

            Jesus said many false teachers would arise, and many would be deceived. There are many different denominations.  People are so confused and they don’t know who to believe or what is truth.  Couple that with the extreme politically biased nature of mainstream media and politicians who constantly lie, it is no wonder people increasingly isolate themselves.

            The Apostle Paul further describes the atmosphere of the end of this age; people would be lovers of money, pleasure, and themselves rather than loving God (II Timothy 3:1-4). Whether it is because of the deluding influence of the false preachers, the political circus, or the false news of media outlets of society, the zeal of many will erode. Their love toward God and His church will “grow cold.”

            However, if we are true followers of Jesus Christ, even if our faith is sometimes weak, we will persevere to the end (Matthew 24:13). This is a true love which results when fruit is borne of the holy spirit (Galatians 5:22). The true love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the holy spirit cannot fail (Romans 5:5). This love can’t become cold because it is sustained by Christ who is able to keep us from falling (I Corinthians 13:7; Jude 1:24).

            How can we be sure that the love we have won’t wax cold? We watch ourselves to be sure we maintain the love we have by wearing the garments of involvement with one another and our love of the truth. Don’t lose that first love!

            Paul admonished the brethren, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9–11).

 

            Have a great Sabbath rest and a nice weekend.