And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:12-13
It seems that when cataclysmic events happen, some preacher or self-proclaimed prophet points to the more apocalyptic parts of the Bible, connects a handful of loosely related dots, and declares that the world was living through “the end times.” Maybe we were when awfulness occurred in the past. Maybe we are now. God does not measure time as we do.
This verse, caught in the middle of one such section of the gospels, does not seem to get much notice. At least I do not remember any sermons or devotional dedicated to it. There is a lot of rhetoric about tribulations and “rumors of wars” and betrayals and “brother against brother.”
I am interested in the connection between the two phrases. Let’s start with the first: “because of the increase in lawlessness.” We often deceive ourselves into believing that the present age is more lawless not because there is more of what we have decided is “lawless,” but because of the fantasy that the past was good. There were bad people in all our golden ages. We just are convinced that the demarcation was clear then and not now.
No. As we get older, if we gain wisdom, we realize that except in movies, there are few clearly evil and fewer fully good people. (And we are too certain we know who they are!)
“The love of many will grow cold,” Christ told us. Sure there are the institutions that have not only failed to address the evils of their and our ages, but have been openly hostile, or worse, indifferent. But most adults have also known — not just felt– the coldness of family, friends, coworkers, and fellow church members. This may have come because those once close humans have become entangled in some great sin. It may be because we have.
However, it is more likely that someone (or each of us) has been distracted, over time with the sinfulness that seems so small we cannot, without grace and constant communion with God, see as “lawless,” but perhaps “less law.” I am not saying that we should become neurotic and beat our breasts over every thought and action. I am saying that if we wish to “endure until the end,” we are best to stay as close as possible to the One who knows — and redeems! — every “insignificant” rebellion.
Holy Spirit, loving and mighty, we cannot know ourselves as you do. We can comprehend neither your love nor our failure to live up to it. Guide us to right repentance, and also to your graceful, forgiving, and strengthening arms. In the name of our Lord Christ, Amen.
