Dear Ones:
In speaking of the last days, the Lord Jesus makes a statement that is very sobering: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matt. 24:12) If there is one thing that is absolutely central to the Divine Purpose and Will, it is that the love of God be revealed, proclaimed, lived, and given. He (God) loved first, He loves all, His love is everlasting…and the greatest evidence, and highest revelation, of the character of God is the love of God. So, how is it that we come to the last days with such a declaration concerning love growing cold? The answer has to do with the nature and capacity of true love.
The Apostle John tells us that “God IS love.” This love of God gave all in the giving of His Son. This is an undiminished, unchanging, everlasting love…there is NO variation or shadow cast by turning…the same yesterday, today, and forever. Then WHY will love grow cold in the last days?
In the book of the Revelation, the first letter that the Lord sends to the seven churches is addressed to the Ephesian church. It is a church that is impeccable in doctrine, and zeal. But there is a single, and most significant flaw…the Lord declares: “You have left your FIRST love..” The consequence, “…remember…whence thou art fallen, and repent, and to the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out his place, except thou repent.” (Rev. 2:5) The point is simple: Our highest duty, privilege, and charge, is to attend to the worship, and communion with Christ, because from Him alone comes the blessing, even Life. His way is first and foremost in the sanctuary, in cultivating this love for Him. It is ONLY out of such a love relationship with Christ, that HIS love is known in and through us.
Scripture declares that in the last days, “…iniquity shall abound.” All we need to do to short-circuit our fellowship and love of Christ, is to allow sin to creep in. Often this is due simply to the neglect of aloneness with Christ. Worship, according to the truth of His word, and utter reliance upon the Spirit, is essential if we would love Him as we ought.
In recognizing that God’s love requires a love of its kind, and that it is only BY the Spirit, let us take heart to realize and grasp that the knowledge, experience, and overcoming power of the love of God, can be known in the smallest and grandest manner, by first loving Christ, walking with Him, communing with Him. “Coldness” may surround us, but it does not need to overcome us. Let us tend to the essential of first love of Christ, then we shall know His overcoming love in life and service.
Love, Dad