Enduring in Love
- Brother Zac Poonen
Technology serves as a divine provision for spreading the gospel in the last days. It enables communication and connection across the world, allowing people to not only speak but also see each other, regardless of distance. This facilitates the maintenance of God’s standards in every church and supports the global dissemination of the gospel message.
The Relevance of Matthew 24 to Current Times
Matthew 24:7 describes a time when nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, with famines and earthquakes occurring in various places. These events are merely the beginning of birth pains. In many countries, Christians face tribulation and hatred from all nations because of their faith in Christ. In India, rising nationalism and opposition from other religions increase the likelihood of persecution for those faithful to Christ. Many Christians in parts of India have already suffered significantly.
Challenges to Faith and Perseverance
Matthew 24:10-12 warns that many will fall away, betray, and hate one another during times of tribulation. False prophets will arise, and sin will increase, causing the love of many to grow cold. However, verse 13 emphasizes that the one who endures in love until the end will be saved. Salvation is not merely an initial acceptance of Christ but requires enduring in love. For those who have accepted Christ and are born again, the challenge is to maintain that love without letting it grow cold.
The Danger of Love Growing Cold
The love for Christ can grow cold over time if not carefully guarded. One clear indication of this is when a person no longer takes sin as seriously as they once did. I believe that after 66 years as a Christian, if I am not taking sin more seriously this year than last year, my love for Christ is growing cold. This applies to all believers. When sin increases, as stated in Matthew 24:12, the love of many grows cold because sins once considered serious are now treated lightly.
The Impact of Modern Technology on Sin
Before the advent of cell phones and computers, many avoided sinful content, such as dirty pictures, because access was limited. People were cautious about what they viewed, avoiding cinemas that could pollute their minds. However, the availability of gadgets has made it easier for the devil to pollute minds with filth, leading to a decline in love for Christ among many Christians. The ease of accessing sexually polluting images through cell phones and laptops has particularly affected young people, causing them to lose their love for Christ.
The Incompatibility of Sin and Love for Christ
Harlot Christianity and Worldly Distractions
The Bible describes harlot Christianity as claiming devotion to Christ while maintaining an interest in worldly things. According to 1 John 2:15, believers are commanded not to love the world or the things in it, as love for the world prevents the love of the Father from residing in the heart. The devil seeks to rob believers of their love for Christ not by stopping church attendance but by fostering a love for worldly things. Regular church attendance or participation in special meetings does not prove love for Christ; rather, love is proven by not loving the world.
The Exclusivity of Love for Christ
Love for Christ and love for the world cannot coexist in the same heart, just as one cannot love a spouse and another person simultaneously. In marriage, God intended a woman to be devoted to one man, and even a slight interest in another is considered a form of adultery. Non-Christians understand that a husband would not tolerate his wife’s interest in another man. Similarly, believers, as the bride of Christ, must avoid being drawn to worldly things, which act as the “other man” pulling them away from Christ. The devil uses love for the world to erode devotion to Christ.
Overcoming the Love of the World
The battle against loving the world is constant, especially in the early stages of faith. However, victory is possible, leading to a heart at rest, free from any desire for worldly things. One of the primary worldly temptations is money. While money is necessary for living, the devil uses it to draw believers away from Christ by fostering unfaithfulness or an excessive pursuit of wealth.
The Proper Perspective on Money
There is nothing wrong with having a large bank account, as Jesus himself had a treasury managed by Judas, who stole from it without others noticing due to the abundance of funds. These funds came from people grateful for Jesus’ healings and teachings. Having wealth does not indicate a love for money; rather, loving money occurs when it becomes more important than Christ. A frequent preoccupation with earning more money, despite having enough, is a sign of this misplaced priority. I believe that even with sufficient wealth, if my mind is constantly on making more, my love for Christ is compromised.
Biblical Wisdom on Saving for the Future
Proverbs 6:6-8 advises observing the ant, which prepares food in the summer and gathers provisions during the harvest to prepare for times of scarcity. This teaches the wisdom of saving for the future, as the ant stores food for its young during winter. There is nothing wrong with maintaining a good savings account, but the warning is to avoid loving money.
The Impossibility of Serving Two Masters
Luke 16:13 states that no servant can serve two masters, as they will either hate one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other. The two masters are God and money. To avoid loving money, believers must be fully devoted to Christ, not merely having a casual love. I believe that devotion to Christ means being 100% consumed with Him, prioritizing Him above all else.
Prioritizing Christ Above All Relationships
Jesus taught that to be His disciple, one must “hate” father, mother, wife, children, and siblings, meaning that love for Christ must far surpass love for others. I use the illustration that love for family is like the light of stars, visible until the sun (Christ) rises, rendering them invisible. Before my marriage to Annie, I told her she would always be number two in my heart, with Christ as number one, and I wanted to be number two in hers. After 57 years of marriage, I still hold this view, ensuring Christ remains supreme. This commitment has made our home a foretaste of heaven, free from raised voices, anger, or bitterness.
The Danger of Obsession with Money
Many people, despite having sufficient wealth, are consumed with thoughts of making more money. This is particularly evident among businesspeople who prioritize financial gain over family and other responsibilities. Such preoccupation indicates a love for money rather than Christ. I pray, “Lord, can I love you like that?” desiring to prioritize Christ above all else, relegating other concerns to a lower level.
The Example of Ananias and Sapphira
Acts 4:34-35 describes the early church, where there were no needy persons because those who owned land or houses sold them and gave the proceeds to the apostles for distribution to the poor. This demonstrated extraordinary love, as people sold their homes to support others, fulfilling Jesus’ teaching that love for one another proves discipleship. However, in Acts 5:1-4, Ananias and Sapphira, baptized and Spirit-filled Christians, sold property but kept back part of the proceeds while pretending to give all. Peter discerned that Satan had filled their hearts to lie to the Holy Spirit. The land and money were theirs to keep, but their pretense of wholeheartedness was sinful.
The Call to Wholeheartedness in CFC
In a church like CFC, there is no requirement to sell property or give a specific percentage of income, but believers are called to be wholehearted Christians, placing Christ first in every area of life. Wealth is not the issue, but giving the impression of wholeheartedness while not truly prioritizing Christ is deceptive. The standard is to live fully for Christ, ensuring nothing comes between the believer and their love for Him.
Bible References
- Matthew 24:7-13: Describes end-time events, tribulation, and the need to endure in love to be saved.
- 1 John 2:15: Commands believers not to love the world, as it prevents love for the Father.
- Proverbs 6:6-8: Advises learning from the ant to save for the future.
- Luke 16:13: States that no one can serve two masters, God and money.
- Acts 4:34-35: Describes the early church’s generosity in selling property to help the needy.
- Acts 5:1-4: Details Ananias and Sapphira’s deception and Peter’s discernment.
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