A Cold Heart (Jan 18)

This past week, it has been very cold. The temperature has been in the single digits around here and some have reported temperatures below zero (ºF). I've heard that other parts of the country are experiencing 30 or 40 below. The temperature is, of course, compounded by the wind chill. When temperatures drop that far below freezing, and even below zero, we begin to hear warnings on the television and radio to be careful how long you stay outside. It's so cold, we refer to it as “bitter cold”, and prolonged exposure leads to frostbite and other dangerous things. If you go out when it's that cold, sometimes you can hardly stand it for more than a few minutes. It hurts to breath and after a little bit, you're pretty sure that your ears, nose, and fingers are going to just fall off. Now, I'm sure we exaggerate a little bit, but when it's that bitter cold, there is nothing we'd like better than to get inside a warm place and possibly sit down with a cup of hot chocolate in front of a fireplace. I know that's how I felt at least a few times this past week. It's supposed to stay cold for some time, I hear, so perhaps we need to just get used to it. Why am I mentioning all of this? It reminds me of what can happen to someone's heart when they no longer have a burning zeal for the Lord. The heart grows cold and it eventually leads to death. It happens when you are no longer close to the very heart of God. This has been a problem throughout all of time, but it will only get worse in these days.

Matthew 24:10-13

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Imagine! Even in the church people shall betray one another and hate one another. False prophets will come and deceive people. Hearts will grow cold and people won't seem to care. They will no longer be on fire for God or care about following His will. I believe a cold heart is also complacent. Complacency is “a self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.” There's no reason to move on with God, this person would think, because we're fine where we are. There is no danger. I don't need anything. I've got my life to live and on the side, I'll call myself a Christian. Beware of a cold heart!

How does something get cold (especially if it was in the first place hot)? Why, you simply move it away from the source of heat! You're warm right now? Get up and walk outside (if you're in a cold wintry climate) and stand still for awhile. What happens? You became cold! As I prepare my lesson, I'm sitting here in a big hooded sweatshirt and I'm wearing these really big stuffed slippers. (The look really goofy, but they keep me very warm). Despite the freezing temperatures outside and the 64ºF temperature inside, I'm actually quite comfortable. Sometimes I need a throw blanket on my lap, though. If I pull off my sweatshirt and slippers and toss aside the blanket and run outside and lay on the ground, not only will my neighbors think I'm insane, but I'll be very cold, very quickly! I'll feel a desire to run inside and get warmed up!

Have you grown complacent? Has your love grown cold? Do you have a cold heart? Well, then, examine your life and see if you've moved away from the heat source! Have you distanced yourself from the heart of God and lost your fiery zeal that once burned in your heart as you rejoiced in God's love? If there's any life left in you, you should feel some desire somewhere deep down to come back inside, out of the cold. Come back to the heart of God so that He can fill you with His Spirit and your heart will once again be on fire for Him! If your heart has been cold for long enough, you may be numb and desensitized and don't even feel the urge to come in, but I fear that you will be “frostbitten” and perish! We've got the fire going strong in the fireplace and the kettle on the stove: come in quickly! Come in from the cold!