Matthew 24:12 tells us one of the characteristics of the last days will be that the “love of many will grow cold.” I don’t know about you, but when I thought of that verse before, I always thought Jesus was talking to those who were outside the Church; those that were in the ‘world’. But of recent days, I have begun to see how this verse may apply to those who are within the Church, or appear to be in the Church.
In the last days, churches will contain both, wheat (the real deal Christians) and tares (pretenders). Within their ranks, there will be those who are ruled and motivated by many things; some by a search for significance, some by a need for control, some by a need for recognition, and some are motivated by love. Jesus said not to try and separate them because only He knows the heart – and if you try to uproot the tares, you may pull up and destroy some wheat with them. But be assured, there is a Church within the church.
Jesus also said that you would ‘know them by their love’ for one another. Yet, this love that is supposed to exist for one another is suspiciously absent in many churches. I’m not talking about congeniality or surface social graces. I’m talking about the kind of love that stands with a brother or sister in the dark hours of trials, even when the reason for the trial may have been self-inflicted.
Today’s Christianity all too often casts aside those who exhibit anything less than perfect performance according to the letter of the law. In the Old Testament, David gave us much to think about in how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ. David had made far too many mistakes. He had not only made mistakes but also had committed deliberate, treacherous acts of adultery and even murder. He had repeatedly sinned against God and his fellow man – yet he was still God’s chosen leader! Though God chose David and never changed His mind, David’s friends and family had all left him! David’s anguish can be heard in the following verse:
Psalm 142:4 “Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.”
You see, David had a heart that was repentant – many times repentant! God described David as a “man after my own heart”. He had sinned grievously and repeatedly but he had also repented from his heart, with tears and cried out to God not to take His Spirit from him, but to create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him. He was a God-seeker, though he had given in to his natural desires and even to his rages on many occasions. David appeared to be the epitome of a hypocrite – yet he was anointed of God to lead and defend God’s people!
(Continued in Pt. 2)
Great question…scary answer! Did Judas Iscariot (the desceived one) know he was the bad one? Will I know?
From the first of our days a believer we are growing. At least the the direction that we want to strive for, but in those days as we grow we will find ourselves meeting the Holy Spirit in a new way. The Love the forgiveness is there, but we sense that we have done wrong and maybe we may not recognize it right away. But then we will know what we have done. God doesn’t cast us to the side, but we find ourselves as our heart are still tender we find God’s forgiveness. As we walk this life through there is times that we need to seek God’s for His forgiveness. The Real Deal is following God’s Holy Spirit and always keeping our hearts tender by staying in God’s word and taking plenty of time to pray{ but I have found in my own life listening to God’s speak to me is better than me telling God everything he already knows } not to say we don’t tell God are hearts desires or concerns but to listen He has the path for us to follow and he wrote the BOOK! Also being in a Church body were can share and the Body will be there for you and you for them where the truth is taught and The Love of God is not a concept but a reality that is lived out with all those that find there way to you, through whatever outreach or a personal relationship has been found. See there is no room for Pride or for your concerns over someone else’s. I think if we examine our personal motivations regardless of the thought or occasion, we find out who we are and when The Holy Spirit put his finger on your hearts issue and when you respond with honesty and acceptance of the issue{ not making excuses remember who is putting the finger on your heart } God’s forgiveness will be there. See the signs of the times are all around us and time is short very short there is those out there that we have seen and met that need to hear the truth. Maybe for the first time from a Heart of Love {NO OTHER REASON THAN LOVE} one that the receiver of the Love will sense. Because you can offer a peace that only God can supply ,that reach’s into the depth of a persons soul and for the first time personally know God’s Total Forgiveness .See It’s time to be the Real Deal we need every heart that has ever ask God for forgiveness and called him Lord Of Their Lives to be in place where God has called them too and share God’s truth and Love that will change their lives.
Right on Pastor Jim Bakker. We are all as filthy rags…all.
Brother it is specifically talking about the church. The word love here is the Greek Word Agape. We know that agape is Gods love. Or God like love. Also as in my teaching and book it is the oil missing in the 5 lamps. And the Ephesus church of Revelations it is the burning love that has died. In the parable of the ten virgins. When they trimmed their lamps this is God telling His people to get the black junk of the world and sin out of their lives. Many scriptures tell us to have fervent love one for another especially in the last Days. Lift me up a I will be ministering in St. Louis tomorrow on Spiritual warfare and the end time church. God bless