Daily Lesson for July 10, 2014

Today's Lesson is from Matthew chapter 24 verses 12 through 14:

12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations . . .

We live in an anxious age.  There are wars and rumors of wars throughout the Middle East, which since 9-11 is now nearer to us than it has ever been before.  And there is violence in South and Central America, prompting thousands of parents to send their children north across our border.  All of this, plus Russia seems ready to reassert its cold war power.  And here at home we read that over 80 people were shot in one U.S. city alone over the long July 4th weekend. It is indeed an anxious time as the world seems on edge of cataclysmic convulsion and lawlessness.

It is in times like these Jesus said that our love can grow cold.  When nation rises against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and refugees flood in in search of safety and trials and tribulations of many kinds shake the world that we have known then love grows cold.  Generosity dries up.  People turn inward.  Friends turn on one another.  Hate has its day.  

Today's lesson is a reminder that it is for a time such as this that we are Christians.  It is a reminder not to let our love grow cold.  It is a reminder to bear witness.  To "endure".

Love is our enduring characteristic and witness as Christian people.  And, Jesus says, our willingness to chose to love - even in such an anxious time as this - will be our testimony unto all the nations.