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"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matthew 24:14).
The events which are listed in the verses of our scripture reading, have troubled many hearts
through the ages that have passed, since our Lord spoke those words. He foretold the destruction of
the temple and the disciples responded to that alarming news by asking two questions which are
recorded in verse three.
Apparently the disciples had two things which concerned them: (1) the certain destruction
of the temple and (2) the end of the world. The temple was the heart of Jewish worship. It was
supposedly constructed of huge stones and therefore was considered to be a rather durable structure.
Apparently, the disciples concluded that if the temple was so completely destroyed that not one stone
would be left upon another, the greatest likelihood would be that the end of the world had come. It
would be the end of the Jewish world as they had known it.
The prophetic words of our Saviour did come true. A notable Jewish historian tells of the
time when both the temple and the city of Jerusalem were leveled to the ground. Though that event
took place many years ago, the world in which we live continues to go on. In spite of the fact that
words of this passage have already been fulfilled, there are those who are convinced that they have
a dual application. Evidently, they did apply to the ending of the ancient order of worship and the
then known "Jewish world," but very possibly also refer to a time in the future when this physical
world will end. If this is true, then we can safely assume that the prophetic words of Jesus are even
now being fulfilled a second time. Regardless of what your position might be with regard to the
fulfillment of those words, it does not in any measure alter the truth of our scripture text. Therefore,
I want to spend the remainder of this message directing your attention to the text. As we focus upon
it, we shall endeavor to understand the truths which Jesus set before us, making an application of
them to our lives.
The first subject which Jesus addresses in the text is that of iniquity. This Scripture not only
acknowledges the existence of iniquity, but declares the devastating effects of it. We know that since
mankind was plunged into sin by our father Adam, iniquity has been present in the world. Not only
is it in our world but it can also be found in all mankind (except Jesus), for it is a basic part of our
depraved nature. This was admitted by David, when he said, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and
in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). Every one of us was born with a sinful nature and
inhabited by iniquity. It is because of this depraved and despicable nature of mankind, that Jesus
could declare so emphatically the presence of iniquity.
He not only made known its presence but also declared prophetically that it would "abound."
This fact should be evident to every generation. Iniquity is abounding today! It is like a massive
swarm of bees that are everywhere, inflicting the population of the earth with the painful
consequences of their presence. In order for us to more fully understand the problem that Jesus
described, we must know something about the meaning of iniquity. It is not to be viewed as some
vague abstract of evil that cannot be understood or its presence seen and felt. Rather, there are some
definite ideas, which are biblically set forth by the use of the word "iniquity." In the Old Testament,
there are two basic ideas which are set forth. The first is the idea of vanity. In Job 11:14, it says, "If
iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.” We are
told that vain actions are not to be retained but dispelled, lest we dwell in wickedness. The other
definition we should consider is perversity. Isaiah wrote, "But your iniquities have separated
between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah
59:2). Evidently, they had lost fellowship with God and He no longer responded to their prayers.
Why? Because of their iniquities, which they committed as they perverted the holy laws and ways
of God.
In the New Testament there are also two definitions which we need to consider. The first tells
us that iniquity means, that which is wrong or unrighteous. Peter said to a man who offered to
purchase the gift of the Holy Ghost, "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if
perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of
bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity" (Acts 8:22-23). Peter considered Simon to be a man bound
by that which was wrong or unrighteous in God's sight. All those definitions help us to understand
the problem addressed by our Lord, yet they do not fully identify it. Therefore, in our text, we
consider the second New Testament meaning, which is lawlessness. Remember, Jesus said,
“Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). So, those who
intentionally disregard and break the laws of men and more importantly, the laws of God; are guilty
of iniquity. Many today, as in every generation, are endeavoring to break free of God's laws and treat
His commandments as though they were fetters and chains. Such lawlessness is seen in a general
disregard for the moral teachings of the Bible. Those who live in such iniquity do not have any idea
of the far reaching effects of their action, nor do many of them even care. Unfortunately, many
Christians have not yet recognized the full impact of the words of our Saviour.
Jesus said that iniquity would abound and as it does it will have an eroding effect upon the
love which exists in the world. It cannot affect God's love for His people, but it most certainly does
affect the power and presence of love in this world. Love is a great power to bless and bring good,
iniquity is also a great power to curse and bring evil. The two co-exist in the world, but there is a
delicate balance between the two. When one side of the scales goes down, the other side goes up.
So when iniquity is abounding, love is growing weaker. Love is soft and tender, iniquity is hard and
abrasive. So like a hard grinding stone, iniquity is grinding away at the love that is in the world. Just
look at what is happening today.
There is a general disregard for the laws of God in our society. Lawlessness is abounding
throughout our nation today. People no longer care what God says about abortion, homosexuality,
fornication, adultery or many other matters of moral concern. Much of what we hear is about the
rights of women to abort an unwanted pregnancy, but little is said in defense of the baby that will
be murdered. Sex sins are regarded as acceptable, even though the Bible plainly denounces them.
People rights, not moral regulation; is the outcry of our society. There is always the tendency to
perceive our age as more evil than others, simply because we are better informed about our times
than any other. Yet in my lifetime I believe that things are gradually worsening. Evil men and
seducers are waxing worse and worse (2 Timothy 3:13). Iniquity is abounding and lawlessness is
rampant in the land. It is so prevalent that increasing numbers of people in our own community are
afraid to go out at night. Crime is so alarmingly high that there are not enough correctional facilities
to house all the offenders. The laws of our land are broken and so are the laws of God. Rampant
immorality is spreading like a horrible disease in our society. Our nation has over indulged its
appetite for iniquity and is sick with sins.
While this is happening, we must also face the fact that love is on the decline. Like the
embers on the hearth, many have darkened as they grow colder and go out. Divorce has reached
disastrous proportions because too many people build a relationship on lust rather than love. Even
those who do profess love often find that it does not seem as strong a bond now as it did years ago.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to find people whose hearts are inseparably bound by the cords
of love. This is exactly what satan desires and his designs are working. He knows this truth which
our Lord taught. Even if we have not recognized it, Satan has already used this truth to his advantage.
He has a great many devices which work for him. At times satan uses persecutions to discourage
people from serving God. In the early church it was not easy to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. It cost
Jesus His life and those who spoke His most excellent name were often threatened or beaten. Satan
knew that many would be turned away from following Christ, because the cost was too great. It
worked well on some people, but others manifested such love and devotion to Christ, that their
martyrdom challenged and encouraged those who were weak in the faith. So satan gradually tried
another approach.
As reformation came and the progress of man improved his living conditions, Satan chose
to use those advancements as distractions. If he could not drive people away from Jesus, he would
try to entice them away. He had already used this principle in tempting Jesus. Satan said, "... All
these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matthew 4:9). Jesus
immediately refused but that did not stop satan from trying it on us and multitudes of others. Today
many people turn away from the worship of Jesus Christ, because their attention has been captured
by some other activity. Such distractions as sporting events, family activities, and recreational
travels, are not in themselves wrong; but when they interfere or take precedence to our obligations
to God, they become successful instruments of distraction. Satan will go to any length or do anything
he can to keep us from living a life that will glorify God. So he often employs the principle which
Jesus described in our text. If people can be driven or drawn away from Christian endeavors through
persecution or distractions, they become more vulnerable to temptation and sin. The more the
masses of people become involved in the practice of sin, the more acceptable to society the sin
becomes. This has been proven through the sexual revolution of recent years. Now even the worst
sexual perversions have gained widespread acceptance. Jesus said it and satan loves it; the more that
iniquity abounds, the more love disappears. Lawlessness is like water that is poured on the flames
of a fire. The more water, the less flame until the water extinguishes the flames and leaves only
smoldering coals. Thank God that love has not yet been quenched and by His grace, hopefully, it
never shall; but keep in mind this fact, the aim of satan is to extinguish love from the world in which
we live and especially our love for God.
Sadly, we must admit that the words of Jesus in second part of the text, is now in the process
of fulfillment. Jesus said "the love of many shall wax cold." Just as there are varying degrees of hot,
so there are different levels of cold. We may say it is cool, cold or freezing. If something is not hot,
it may be described as cold, such as food that has lost its warmth. At different geographical locations
on the earth, different temperatures may be considered cold. For us fourteen degrees is cold, but in
the Amazon jungles forty degrees might be considered cold. So God described temperatures of the
climates simply as "cold and heat" in Genesis 8:22. There is one scripture which speaks of the cold
of snow (Proverbs 25:13), while another describes the coolness of drinking water as cold (Proverbs
25:25). We should be able to recognize that when the Bible uses the word "cold" it may describe a
wide range of temperatures. In the text from Matthew, the word cold means to breathe or blow cool.
If something is too hot to handle, a simple solution is to blow on it to cool it down. Iniquity is
blowing upon love to cool it down.
We need to recognize just here that the idea of love waxing cold is not intended to describe
only those who have gone into apostasy as in Revelation 2:4. Jesus said, "Nevertheless I have some
what against thee, because thou hast left thy first love." There Jesus was describing the situation
where a person abandons God, in apostasy leaving their faith and going in another direction. But
when love waxes cold, apostasy might not have occurred; it may be manifested only as a lessening
of interest and devotion. The person is not as involved as they once were, they do not enjoy church
as much as they did; so they have suffered a cooling down of the love that previously motivated them
in zealous service. Jesus commanded us to love God with all our heart, soul and mind (Matthew
22:37). When love cools down, the person simply does not feel that way about God any more.
Because there are varying degrees of love, the Bible declares the fact. Love at its highest level
is seen by God's love for us and it is the model for our love toward one another. Jesus said, "This is
my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12). There is also the love
of a friend and various other kinds of love. Yet all kinds of love is affected by the iniquity which
surrounds us. Whatever the level of love that may be felt, that level is lowered by the bombardment
of iniquity. When multitudes are involved in iniquity, it lowers the level of the moral standard which
influences us all. Some Christians have become distracted, discouraged and even disillusioned by
the widespread acceptance of iniquity. With many of them, their love is waxing colder and colder.
Many do not love Jesus with the fervor and devotion they once felt. Few today feel such a
strong and consuming love for Christ and His kingdom, that they would die as a martyr, rather than
relinquish their faith. Because the general level of love for Jesus is not as intense as it should be,
neither do people love the Bible as they should. The Psalmist said, "The law of thy mouth is better
unto me than thousands of gold and silver" (Psalm 119:72). He also declared that his love for God's
word motivated him to meditate on it frequently (Psalm 119:97). How many today love the Bible
more than making money or pursuing some special interests? How many do you know who spend
much of their precious time, pondering its sacred teachings? If we love the Bible enough, we will
learn its teaching and live them daily. Because there is a diminished love for the Bible as God's
inspired word, there is much apathy toward the church. Fewer and fewer people manifest a strong
sense of loyalty to the church. When people truly love the church, they will support it by their
attendance and contributions. Love for the church has lessened, as many members have transferred
their affections to things of the world. With such preoccupation with things, people have become less
important in our society. Family ties and love have weakened and we seldom see families that prefer
the company of each other, to that of the places and possessions of this world.
Perhaps I am focusing too much on the negative to please some of you, but hiding our heads
in the sand will not cause the problem to go away. Hopefully, we will all take an honest look at the
world around us in the light of what Jesus said. If we can agree that His prediction is presently being
fulfilled, possibly we will begin to look for some solutions to the problems we have considered.
Maybe together we can slow the tide of iniquity in its erosion of love. There are some very positive
steps which can be taken, and like sand bags help in the flood, they will help hold back the influence
of iniquity. For love to strengthen, iniquity must be weakened. We must endeavor to reverse what
is taking place. To do so will require that more professed Christians study the word of God and learn
God's will. Once we know His will, that which deviates is iniquity and so the enemy has been
identified. Then we must make a personal committment to live by the teachings of Jesus Christ, even
if we are ridiculed by the world. This will not be easy, but through prayer and with God's help, we
can make a difference. When we have decided to follow Christian principles, we must then teach
them to our family. We should guide our children in God's way, both by our personal example and
Bible teaching. While our involvement can easily influence our family, that is not adequate. Our
families needs to be involved with the Lord’s church, so that united we can make a difference in our
communities. In our community, we need to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth
(Matthew 5:13-16).
The love of many (not all) has grown cold. May God give us grace to do all we can to reduce
the influence of iniquity and untiringly fan the coals of love into flames of fire that burn brightly,
illuminating the glory of God and shining to the praise of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Remember His
words, for they are true and were given to warn us of the disastrous effect of iniquity and also to
challenge us to enlarge the capacity of our hearts to love.
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