Title: Keep Love Alive/ Topic: End Times

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24

Scripture: Matthew 24:10-14
10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 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. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Observation: This prophecy of Jesus concerning the end times is very sobering. Many who have been adherents to the faith will turn away and betray others who were formerly friends. Why? Jesus explains that because of the increase of wickedness, the love of many will grow cold. In our day there is an increase of wickedness. As one example, the privacy provided by personal computers has allowed a huge proliferation of pornography, leading to an increase in sexual addictions of all varieties; self-indulgent behavior is not only tolerated, in many cases it is celebrated. Jesus is telling us that it is difficult for people to maintain their love for the Lord and their personal holiness when the society around them has become a moral cesspool.

Application: There is an insidious kind of wickedness that many do not even recognize as such. It is the mindset that we should evaluate everything in the light of how it affects us; how we “feel” about it. Instead of discerning whether something is wrong or right based on the Scriptures, we use our own feelings as the basis for making our choices. This is the biggest reason why wickedness is increasing. I must base my decisions on the Word of God and not on my own feelings. I must also maintain a devotional life with God and be a worshiper if I am to keep my love for the Lord alive and vibrant. Jesus warns that only those who stand firm (in their faith) to the end will be saved. He also makes it clear that this will take effort; it is not a given. It is my responsibility to make sure I don't indulge my sinful nature. Compromise with any wickedness is dangerous!

Prayer: Father, I want to keep my heart humble and repentant. Let me turn away from following the desires of my fleshly nature quickly and to embrace your loving boundaries. I know you only give boundaries that are for the purpose of keeping me whole and healthy both spiritually and emotionally. I want my love for you to keep growing, even as the world around me grows more wicked.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.