"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." -Matthew 24:12
In this passage, Jesus makes an apocalyptic prophesy about the end-times. He says the the time before His return will be characterized by what goes on inside people's hearts as much as by what happens in the world around us.We are seeing this coldness manifest itself today in many different ways: in self-centeredness and social isolation, in crimes against the very young and very old, in road rage and political rancor, in the loss of a sense of community in our local neighborhoods.
But, as believers, how can we ensure that we don't succumb to this same coldness? How do we keep our love vibrant and strong, even as we struggle with people, finances and life situations?The answer to these questions will vary from person to person. Some will focus on prayer, some on worship. Some will keep their hearts stirred by turning their thoughts again and again to the great gift of salvation they've received. Others will be moved by the other wonderful works that God has done and continues to do every day.
One strategy, however, has proven particularly effective for believers over the years -- and is strongly supported by scripture. That strategy is to be in close and constant fellowship with other believers.
Fellowship means more than just attending a Sunday service. It means getting together with one's spiritual family throughout the week. And simply being in the same room and breathing the same air isn't enough. If you're going to follow Christ, you're going to have to get into close personal relationships with your brothers and sisters. You have to get to know people and let people get to know you.
Look at Hebrews 10:24-25:
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
We need to stir up love in one another. If we don't, we can easily succumb to the lovelessness of the society in which we live. Plus, according to this verse, we have to do so even more as we see the spiritual condition of the world around us deteriorating.
We at Red Bank Community Church strongly encourage you to make yourself part of a good, strong Christian fellowship. Our experience is that people who try to fly solo don't make it. They just get too darn cold. So if you don't have a church family yet, come check us out. We'll help keep your heart hot!
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." -Galatians 6:2
