Don’t let your heart grow cold.  

Matthew 24:12  “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Most people are particular about the temperature of the beverages they drink.  If it was meant to be hot, they want it hot.  If it was made to be cold, they want it cold.  Anyone a fan of a nice hot milkshake?  I didn’t think so.

Love was made to be hot.  Love is not a state of being but rather a series of actions.  Love works.  It moves.  Like a boiling pot, love is active.  

[shareable]Jesus said, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments.’  Love equals obedience to God.[/shareable]

However, love can cool.  It can lose its fervor.  A boiling pot of love can become an ice cube of apathy in the wrong conditions. 

Love and sin are opposites.  Love is hot.  Sin is cold.   Love gives.  Sin steals.  Love helps.  Sin hurts.  Love flows from the heart of God.  Sin was born in rebellion.

If you put a cup of hot coffee on a table in a room, it will eventually cool to the temperature of its surroundings.  If you put the same cup of coffee in a freezer, it will cool to the temperature of the freezer.  Why?  Because things left to themselves acclimate to the temperature of their surroundings.  

Christians are no different.  If you aren’t careful, your devotion to Christ will equal that of those with whom you spend your time.  That’s why the Bible warns us to surround ourselves with wise and godly people.

As sin abounds in our nation, will your love for Christ cool to popular opinion or will you fight against the pressure to remain passionately devoted to Him?

For something to be hotter than its environment, heat must be applied.  Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, soul winning, godly encouragement, Bible preaching, etc. keep your love for God hot in spite of the cooling effects of sin and worldliness.

Here’s an interesting thought.

Scientifically, temperature measures the activity of molecules and atoms.  Cold items are less active while hot items are more active.  Think of the difference between steam and ice.  Although very different visually, they are both water in various states of activity.

We can apply this fact to our lives.

You can tell when someone’s love for Christ is becoming cold by the lack of spiritual activity.  Action is the “love thermometer.”  

Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”  Love equals obedience to God.

When we give in to temptation, sin cools our love for Christ.  Our spiritual desires wane.  Our spiritual activity slows.  

Sin paralyzes love.  If you want to love God more, stop messing around with sin.  Just say NO to temptation.

What is your spiritual temperature today?  

Has sin cooled your love for God?  Apply the heat of godliness to warm your heart and to increase your spiritual activity.

[callout]“Heavenly Father, thank you for the body you’ve given me to live in here on Earth. Forgive me for yielding to its ungodly lusts. Strengthen me to overcome its sinful desires so I can please you. Break the chains of habitual sin that war against my soul. Amen.'[/callout]

Today’s Bible Reading:  1 Peter 2

Read this devotional series from the beginning here.