Growing in Christian love

Matthew 24:12-13 states that, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of MOST (emphasis mine) will grow cold, (v.13), but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." This scares me a bit because I believe that, like many, I've occasionally allowed myself to slip into an unloving spirit. I read Scripture (almost daily) and do journal devotions. I know my salvation was determined by Jesus Christ who died on the cross and rose again. I am a baptized believer who attends weekly worship with my family. I am not particularly social, so this can "problematic." What more may I do to help myself in this area?

The words of Jesus that you quoted do speak of dire conditions as we move closer to the Last Day. Love for God and love for others “will grow cold.”

Could your love for God and others increase? Certainly. The same thing could be said about my love for God and others. The same thing could be said about all Christians. That is why it is not surprising to read words like these from the apostle Paul: “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). There was room for growth in the hearts of the Christians in Thessalonica two thousand years ago. There is room for growth in the hearts of Christians today.

That room for growth does not mean that salvation is in jeopardy. Keep in mind that it is faith in Jesus Christ that saves (Mark 16:16). It is not the strong faith of the Christian that saves. Christian faith saves because it is attached to Jesus Christ, and he is strong.

What I read about you is that you are taking your faith seriously. Your trust is in Jesus Christ. You are regularly hearing and reading God’s word. You remember your Baptism. You have times of slipping “into an unloving spirit.” Those are times when the sinful nature (Galatians 5:19-21) gets the upper hand in our lives. Especially in those times, we confess to God our unloving attitudes and we receive in faith the forgiveness of our sins. Strengthened by God’s forgiveness of our sins, we strive to put down the sinful nature and follow our new self. We seek to display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in daily living. And the very first item is “love.”

In light of your “social” concerns, perhaps you could consider volunteer service in your congregation and community. Take inventory of your interests and gifts, and see how you might grow in reflecting the love of Jesus in your life.

A man once came to Jesus and said, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). That man spoke for many other Christians. We do believe in Jesus as our Savior, but we recognize there is room for growth in our faith and our Christian love. Thankfully, the Lord has the means to increase both: it is his gospel in word and sacrament. Keep using them faithfully. God’s blessings!