The State of Your Heart: A Reflection of Your Love
As you journey through life, it’s essential to pause and assess the condition of your heart. Is your love growing more vibrant, compassionate, and selfless, or is it becoming increasingly discriminatory, calculating, and guarded? The answer to this question holds significant implications, for your faith is only as genuine as your capacity to love.
A Warning from Jesus
Jesus foresaw a time when love would wax cold, and He cautioned us about it. In Matthew 24:10-12, He said, “Many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.” These words serve as a stark reminder to examine our hearts and ensure that our love remains fervent and unwavering.
The Dangers of Unforgiveness
When someone hurts us deeply, our natural response is to retreat and nurse our wounds. However, if we fail to forgive and instead choose to share our grievances with others, we risk allowing bitterness to take root. This bitterness can quickly spread, defiling many and causing harm to ourselves and others (Hebrews 12:15). Unforgiveness is a breeding ground for cold love, and it’s essential to recognize its destructive power.
Stumbling Blocks and the Path to Love
Jesus warned us that stumbling blocks would come our way (Matthew 18:7). These obstacles can take many forms, from the thoughtless actions of others to our own weaknesses and fears. When we stumble, we have a choice: we can either get back up and continue walking in love, or we can allow the fall to harden our hearts. To preserve the quality of our love, we must learn to forgive and overlook the weaknesses of others.
What Does It Mean to Love?
When I speak of love, I’m not referring to a superficial or conditional affection. Rather, I mean a deep, abiding love that is gentle, sensitive, and persistent. This kind of love is not based on performance or merit but on a commitment to stand with others, regardless of their imperfections. We need people who love us in this way, and we need to learn to love others with the same depth and sincerity.
The Goal of Restoring Love
Our ultimate goal is to see our hearts restored to the heart of Christ, where love flows freely and abundantly. This requires effort and perseverance, but the reward is well worth it. As we strive to pull down the stronghold of cold love, we’ll discover the height, depth, and breadth of Christ’s love, and we’ll become “a body filled and flooded with God Himself” (Ephesians 3:19 AMP).
Leave a Reply