Matthew 24 & Life Purposes

Today during my reading of a book for a group I am in, I was directed to a scripture in Matthew. Matthew 24:12 (NKJV) says,

"And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."

I have heard this scripture quoted so many times regarding end times and the state of our society now. How lawlessness (aka sin) is so rampant in our culture today that end times must be around the corner. The eye opening portion of this scripture this morning was the fact that this verse isn't referencing the society at large at all! Jesus was speaking about the condition of the Church!

The author of this book points out that a word study of "love" reveals that in the greek Jesus was speaking of agape love. Agape love is a deep love that is given through the Spirit of God. Believers who have accepted Christ are called to love with an agape love. If you are not a believer, you do not have this type of love in you. Therefore, in this passage, Christ is referring to the agape love of believers growing cold due to the increase of sin among believers.

The author boldly states that as a Church we have placed so much emphasis on the need to pray a "sinner's prayer" and accept Jesus but we have dropped the ball in calling God's people to live a life that keeps His commands. I strongly agree with this statement.

So, the cool part for me this morning is that as I read this verse and see Jesus saying that sin will abound in our churches, I remember why He created me....

to encourage and prepare believers to stand for what is morally

right and pure and to advocate truth to them.

How cool is it to have a life purpose that matches the times I am living in. In a season of life when sometimes I feel like all I do is wash clothes, change diapers, and set the time-out timer for 6 minutes, to know that God has a distinct purpose for my life keeps me running this race.

Lord God you are sovereign. You know all things and created all things for your pleasure and glory. Thank you for the reminder that you know me and created me just as I am. May you use me to point others to you. Help me to see where I walk without purity and truth so that I may turn towards truth only. Direct my steps in this season of life to encourage and prepare believers so that lawlessness in the church may be decreased all for your glory.