Notice these translations of Matthew 24:12:
And the love of the great body of people will grow cold, because of multiplied lawlessness and iniquity ( Amplified)
For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in, nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes (Message Paraphrase).
And because of the prevailing disregard of God’s law the love of the great majority will grow cold (Williams).
There will be more and more evil in the world. So most believers will stop showing their love for each other (New Century).
If we are going to be the salt and light that Jesus has called us to be, then we must learn to let His love loose in our way of relating to others. Love is the foundation of the kingdom of God, and is the force that moves us into being used in spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. Love is really a foundation to a strong walk with Jesus.
The harshness of the hour, the continual erosion of moral values, and the self-centered interests that pull us in every direction, tempt us to put a barrier of protection up around our lives. Instead of reaching out, the tendency is to close ourselves in and isolate. Let’s not let that happen!
This is the time for the church to shine! This is the moment that the Holy Spirit wants to manifest in an unhindered way to set people free. And as we put love first, we open an avenue for the Spirit of God to speak to us and bring ministry to others.
Satan’s kingdom operates on fear, strife, envy, and selfishness. If Satan can keep believers from operating in love, he can quench spiritual manifestations. This must not be! Refuse to give place to the devil! Put love first in all your relationships. Ask yourself in every situation, what would love do?
Spiritual growth and love go hand in hand. Love is the first manifestation of the reborn human spirit. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren (1 John 3:14). The Father desires that we develop in love until it consumes us!
Love neutralizes Satan’s kingdom! Strife dies when love responds. Hatred, anger, and bitterness cannot do their work when love shows up. The Father is holding you personally responsible for the love atmosphere manifesting where you go today. In your home, at work, in the mall shopping, wherever you are, let love loose today!
Let’s not allow the ugliness of our times to harden us. We’re created to love!
Oh, and here’s a brief reminder from Paul as to what loving people God’s way looks like:
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (PHILLIPS) This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. (5-6) Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails. (7-8a) Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.
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