Most of us watchmen and watchwomen are quite familiar with Matthew 24:12.
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
In years prior to very recent times, the above piece of Scripture might have sounded fairly futuristic. There was some degree of lawlessness, and the love of certain segments of the human race did chill us in many ways. But as we stride into the new year, the lawlessness spoken of in Holy Writ does in many ways hit home. The immediate consequence of this tendency is coldness where interpersonal relationships go.
One prominent aspect of lawlessness that is pervasive in many societies is the inability to show love. It is a blatant opposite where the commandment to love one another goes. Focus on self amidst an overwhelming sense of envy has just become fashionable – a vile amplification of the selfie mantra which has caught on with many of the younger generation. It has reached a point where these individuals sense a being of self-importance, somewhat inflated by a rampant ego.
What force energizes and sustains this form of behavior?
None other than the Lawless One that creates an unwholesome fad out of thin air. The Lawless one is also known as the Author of Confusion; so confused are so many minds that they do the unthinkable – like burning Bibles if not desecrating monuments!
We might take it for granted and have many sighs of relief when this problem has very little to do with us. It is a totally different picture when someone close to us starts acting up in a manner that is much more than just provoking the mind for half the day. He or she that we knew of is just another personality, displaying fits of rage laced with expletives from the gutter and having a hatred that is very hard to comprehend. A shrink might dismiss this as a change in opinion, but somehow it is a transformation that is hard to stomach.
Sometimes the enemy might push for a more subtle assault, but at the end of the day, it is by no means less painful. It could be somewhat hard to explain, but all of a sudden, there’s a departure from the once steadfast journey of faith. Many would be flabbergasted when the person whom you knew as one who walked the path of godliness made a U-turn in the direction of the world and its seduction. Worst of all, this fellow starts touting the deceptive benefits of turning away, and it can make many lose heart.
It really gets to be something like being whacked below the belt when a sibling, spouse, and perhaps someone you knew from Sunday school exhibited those inclinations so mentioned above. This disconcerting move is what the enemy tries to gain as much mileage from as the days grow shorter.
There is no doubt that this brutal sideswipe from the father of lies is quite a bit to bear. But let your tormented hearts find comfort and solace in the Prince of Peace. Someone that matters to you might be compromised, but are you going to be next in line? Do not play into the snares of the enemy at this moment and make all the waiting be in vain. Remember that HE, who is your Redeemer, is stronger than your adversary and able to do things beyond our comprehension.
“and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thess 3:2-3).
We must let it sink in our heads that our dear Lord will never let us down, regardless of what the evil one hurls at us. Cling on to the Lord in earnest prayer, and never let our human emotions get the better of us. The enemy may cause the love of many, especially those who are dear to us, to take on the nature of an icy blast. But we have the unfailing love of God to strengthen us and uphold us in these times.
Maranatha
Edwin
Contactable at edwinuk13@gmail.com