A Two-Part Post About Staying Faithful, Loving, and Ready
The world can feel dark. Hate is growing, truth is pushed aside, and many people no longer care about sin or the pain of others. Jesus warned, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
But Jesus did not give this warning to make us afraid. He gave it to help us stay awake, stand firm, and keep loving God and people.
Part One: Why Hearts Grow Cold
Jesus Warned Us
In Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of coming trouble. Jesus spoke about false teachers, wars, suffering, betrayal, and lawlessness. He wanted His followers to be careful and prepared—not simply curious about dates.
Jesus also gave hope: “He who endures to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Even in hard times, God can keep His people faithful. We do not have to live with troubled hearts when we trust Him (John 14:1).
The Signs Are Around Us
The Bible says that difficult times will come. People will love themselves and money. They will be proud, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, and more interested in pleasure than in God (2 Timothy 3:1–5).
We see these attitudes in homes, communities, churches, and public life. When people stop fearing God, selfishness grows. When selfishness grows, compassion becomes weak. A cold heart begins to say, “That is not my problem.”
A Cold Heart Ignores People in Need
Many people are hungry, lonely, grieving, rejected, abused, or quietly asking for help. God sees every one of them. First John 3:17 asks how God’s love can remain in someone who has enough but closes his heart to a brother or sister in need.
Real faith is more than words. If Christ’s love lives in us, it should move us to care. We cannot help everyone, but we can help someone. We can listen, share, pray, encourage, forgive, and show kindness (James 2:15–17).
Guard Your Heart
A heart does not usually become cold in one day. It can happen slowly through repeated sin, disappointment, fear, pride, anger, or neglect of prayer and God’s Word. That is why Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts.
Ask yourself: Have I become bitter? Do I ignore people who need mercy? Have I stopped grieving over sin? Do I speak about love but refuse to forgive? These questions are not meant to condemn us. They help us return to God.
Minister A Francine Green, October 2026