Wax cold

During the past few weeks, America has witnessed evil and its wicked results. Hearts that have “waxed cold.” People who have somehow become heartless and cold-blooded. We have heard of the cruel shooting in a church while the people were in the midst of a Bible study. We have seen the brutality of a disgruntled worker who took the lives of his former colleagues. We have observed how children walk into their own grade school and target their fellow students. We heard of the devastation of people who in the name of God bomb places of worship. How did humanity get to this point? How can children and adults become so calloused, cruel, and cold?

Yet, the Bible tells us that before Christ comes again, humanity will turn into a heartless society. “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:12 The Bible is clear, “because Iniquity shall abound.” Today, we have witnessed the changes of laws in our country and other countries around the world that favor immorality. From perversion of marriage laws to justification of marijuana laws. From the sale of body parts of aborted babies to the sale of babies under the guise of adoption laws. Moral and ethical choices are being challenged. The very essence of Christian principles is being confronted. Even though this is shocking, when we look at history we realize quickly that this is nothing new. Before the nation of Israel fell in biblical times, the people of God challenged the very laws of God that were given to them. Before Rome fell, the leadership lived in a state of debauchery, decadence, and degeneracy. Any laws of ethical morality were cast aside for wanton pleasure. Before the antediluvians were swept away by the global flood, the people did what they pleased, which was contrary to the principles of God. “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was onlyevil continually.” Genesis 6:5

Jesus speaks of this concept of history repeating the mistakes of the past to His church. “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:26-30

How can humanity sink so low? How can God’s creation wander so far from the Creator? Paul explains men’s depravity as the result of lawlessness. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:22-32

Is there hope for humanity? Is there a way to break the spell of sin? It seems that we are doomed to failure! Satan from the beginning has lied to humanity, has manipulated humanity, and has put humanity on the path of destruction. How can we break free? The Bible tells us that God has a rescue plan. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”Romans 5:8-10

God is love. When Christ enters the hearts of men, that same stone cold heart begins to melt. We begin to see that the laws of God are not to constrain us, but to protect us. The principles of the Bible are not to hold us from happiness, but to ensure our happiness. The commandments of God are not to restrict us, but to free us from the bondage of sin. With Christ, hearts are melted from that waxed cold state and turn into hearts of love and compassion. Before Christ comes again, there will be two types of hearts. The waxed cold heart and those who have the heart of Christ. The Bible is clear. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John14:15

We live in a world today, that even many Christians claim that there is no law for the believer. “We are free from the commandments of God” they claim. Yet the same Bible is clear on this matter. “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4

The bottom line is this. There is a war going on for the hearts of men. Which side are we on? There are those who trample on the laws of God and there are those who follow the principles of God. There are those whose hearts wax cold, and those whose hearts are melted by the love of God. Here are some insights. “In these last days, when iniquity shall abound, and the love of many shall wax cold, God will have a people to glorify His name, and stand as reprovers of unrighteousness. They are to be a ‘peculiar people,’ who will be true to the law of God when the world shall seek to make void its precepts; and when the converting power of God works through His servants, the hosts of darkness will array themselves in bitter and determined opposition…. There will be a constant conflict from the time of our determination to serve the God of heaven, until we are delivered out of this present evil world. There is no release from this war…. {AG 333.2}

May God bless you this Sabbath, as the warmth of our loving Savior’s love melts our hearts.

Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor