Love

Matthew 24:12 (NASB)

Most people's love will become cold.

Its emphasis on love defines Christianity and separates it from all other world religions. Love for God and our fellow man distinguish Christians and Christianity from others. Other religions emphasize work, keeping the law, obedience to the state, and such. However, Christianity is the only religion that emphasizes love for God and love for our fellow man.

Yet, today, we are witnessing a self-indulgent and self-seeking culture, even among so-called Christians in high government offices that put their country, their party, and themselves over any and everyone else. Their policies and actions are purely self-serving, and they have no qualms claiming they don't care about anything or anyone else. Even more shocking is that an entire group of people voted for such a measure and shared their ideology. It is ironic and farcical that such people even claim to be Christians. The love of such people has become cold, and they are neither Christians nor do they have a place in the kingdom of God. We should fervently pray for the salvation of such.

Christians are commanded to look after the needs and interests of others and not merely their own. They are encouraged to walk the extra mile, turn the other cheek, quit complaining about how they have been exploited, and want payback.

Christianity is a religion of tolerance. Both the Romans and the Pharisees prided themselves on keeping the law immaculately. Yet the Lord Jesus exposed the shallowness of their law and their keeping of it. The gospel of Matthew expounds on the inadequacy of man's law and its foolishness. When you have a nation that is expelling young people for mere traffic violations and no violent crimes, we know for sure that the love of such a nation has grown cold. When protesters are treated the same as terrorists, we know that the love of God is not in the hearts of such. This doesn't mean that crime should not be punished. On the contrary, the Ten Commandments are valid even in the New Testament. However, to treat minor violations or self-expression on par with violent crimes against the state, such as treason or terrorism, indicates paranoia and ruthlessness. There is no love of God in the hearts of such. Regardless of who they think they are, such people will be judged most strictly on judgment day. We Christians should pray for the salvation of such.