Iniquity Abounds as Love Grows Colder

Greetings, a servant of God, by the grace of God, teaching the truth of God under the authority of Jesus Christ to any who are willing to receive it. (Mat 13:43).

The Holy Bible contains the truth of God by the word of God (Joh 17:17); therefore, God teaches and gives understanding, wisdom, and knowledge to all who pray and seek Him with all the heart (Deu 4:29-31; Jer 29:12,13; Psa 119:2).

In every generation there comes a moment when the world seems to tilt, when what once felt unthinkable becomes ordinary, and darkness no longer hides in the shadows but walks boldly in the streets. We are living in such a moment now.

As iniquity multiplies with alarming speed - celebrated, normalized, and defended, the warmth of genuine love is fading from the hearts of many. The words of God's Christ echo with fresh force (Mat 24:12): when lawlessness abounds, love grows cold. This teaching is not a warning for some distant age; it is a diagnosis of our present condition and a call to awaken before the last embers of love flicker out.

What is Love?

Merriam-Webster definitions for love:

(1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties

(2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers

(3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests

So we see that "common interests" or "loving them that love you" appears to be the general implication. Yet, divorce rates are high, and what about the number of relationships that have broken up outside of marriage? And what about all the quarrels within families?

What did Jesus teach about only loving them that love you?

Luk 6:32 For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them.

Here is what was taught to the peoples of ancient Israel in the Old Testament:

Lev 19:18 You shall not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the LORD.

And it all comes down to where you let your thoughts take you concerning your neighbour:

Zec 8:17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, says the LORD.

A wise person understands that in order to receive an advancement or promotion, there are rules, orders, or commands that must be followed. Would you like to be considered a child of the most High God and be blessed with eternal life? Well, here are the two greatest commandments toward that goal from the Lord Jesus Christ:

Mar 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

The following of these commandments is obviously not the hallmark of mankind in general as we look at the deteriorating state that the world is in as a result. But let us shift our focus on to why love for neighbour is growing colder and will continue to grow colder. We will see the wisdom of God the Father through Jesus His Christ concerning growing iniquity which is resulting in a world growing colder:

Iniquity is Spreading

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

Merriam-Webster defines iniquity as:

1. gross injustice: wickedness

2. a wicked act or thing: sin

And so with the definition of iniquity essentially being in agreement with the Holy Bible, iniquity is made up of wickedness and sin which comes about by ignoring, or refusing to keep, the commandments of God:

Lev 5:17 And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the LORD; though he wist [knew] it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity.

God is Open to Confession

We should also understand that if we acknowledge and confess our iniquity to God, He will mercifully and abundantly grant forgiveness:

Psa 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto you, and my iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Sins are thoughts and actions (transgressions) against the law of God (Mat 5:21-28):

1Jn 3:4 Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.

Iniquity Spreads Like Weeds

The Old Testament has many warnings against letting iniquity or evil take root. Moses understood what would happen to a nation or people who listen to any who teach aside from the clear teachings of God:

Deu 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he has spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust you out of the way which the LORD your God commanded you to walk in. So shall you put the evil away from the midst of you.

Moses was very zealous for the house of Israel to succeed with their walk with God. But God knew many would forsake Him through idolatry which can be literally with idols of the physical and figuratively with idols of the heart, both separating us from God:

Deu 31:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods [idols] of the strangers of the land, where they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

Deu 31:17 Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?

God Forsaken

It is important to understand who forsook who first to maintain the righteousness of God.

Deu 31:18 And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.

And the worshipping of those "other gods" comes in many forms today, such as worshipping money, possessions, people of high stature, false religion (idolatry), and even mates (inordinate affection -Col 3:1-5), inspired by the present, evil "god of this world" (Mat 4:8-10):

2Co 4:3 But if our [true] gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

See the teaching The Kingdom of God - The True Gospel. Some mock, and others declare "there is no God". However, consider these:

Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

Don’t fool yourself - God isn’t mocked. Whatever a person plants in their life, that is exactly what will grow and return to them. And:

Psa 53:1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.

The fool convinces himself there is no God, and in that denial his life collapses into corruption and destructive choices. Either there is a God or there is not - fifty-fifty chance. Is it wise to allow the prospect of eternal life to come down to a coin flip?

The True Gospel

What is the gospel (good news doctrine) Jesus the Christ brought from God (Joh 7:16)?

Mat 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven [God] is at hand.

What is asked concerning the Kingdom of God?

Mat 6:33 But seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Is "seeking God's righteousness" as easy as just taking Jesus into your heart?

Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it.

Were the true disciples of Jesus teaching "the things concerning the Kingdom of God?"

Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Act 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Is the Kingdom of God a literal kingdom coming from heaven that will replace all the kingdoms of the world when Jesus returns?

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.

Mat 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Explore the teaching The Kingdom of God - The True Gospel on this site for greater understanding of the true gospel.

Humble Teaching

Paul teaches in his epistles that the gospel of the kingdom is not about exalting the preacher but about proclaiming Jesus the Christ as Lord, carrying out the will of God the Father. God Himself illuminates hearts with His glory through Jesus His Christ, bringing spiritual light to a true gospel once shrouded in darkness.

2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Adversary of Truth's Enlightenment

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

And here is why we will continue to see world conditions deteriorate into the worst tribulation that man has ever faced and will face:

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.

And, Jesus confirming the "great tribulation:"

Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

"No flesh be saved" speaking of what would otherwise be complete annihilation of all life from nuclear weapons. And "for the elect's sake" speaking of the believing followers of Jesus the Christ.

Now you know the truth concerning growing iniquity and love growing colder as a result, as well as the fate of this present evil world that will only be saved by the returning Jesus Christ. If you are following someone who claims to know when Jesus will return, consider this:

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Love Saves

Let us read some words from John who wrote much on the topic of love. Though written for the elect of God, they reach further out to all who would turn their heart to God, repent, be baptised, and live in the faith of the new covenant blood of Christ while walking in the commandments of God.

Note: The New Testament repeatedly affirms both God’s commandments (entolai) and His statutes/ordinances (dikaiōmata). Paul uses this exact pairing in Romans 2:26, where he speaks of “the righteous requirements of the Law” (statutes) being kept, and in Romans 8:4, where the “righteous requirement” (statute) is fulfilled in those who walk by the Spirit.

At the same time, Jesus and the apostles consistently speak of God’s commandments - John 14:15, 1 John 2:3–4, and 1 Corinthians 7:19 (“keeping the commandments of God is what matters”). God’s binding commands and His enduring statutes or ordinances, are now fulfilled and obeyed through the Spirit rather than through the old covenant system. Now to John:

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.

1Jn 4:8 He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.

1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested [made known] the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

"Propitiation for our sins" means that Jesus the Christ became the atoning sacrifice in the new covenant who satisfied God's righteous judgment (Rom 5:12,15), turning away wrath and restoring fellowship between God and humanity, through baptism into that sacrifice, in the name of His Son Jesus, His Christ (Rom 6:23; Joh 3:16; Act 4:12).

Baptism is the spiritual gateway into the body, or spiritual church, of Jesus Christ (Eph 2:19-22). See the teachings Repentance and The Baptisms of John and Jesus on this site for greater understanding.

1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1Jn 4:12 No man has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Love reaches its full strength in us when it reflects the character of God's Christ, so that on the day of judgment we stand with confidence, not fear of unknowns. When God's love has truly taken root, it reshapes how we live, how we treat others, and how we see ourselves. The boldness John describes is not arrogance - it is the quiet assurance that comes from a life aligned with God’s love, a love that drives out fear of the unknown because it is already tasting the life of the world to come.

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Final Thoughts

In closing, as the scriptures warn, when iniquity abounds the natural fruit is that love grows cold. Yet, God calls us to endure, to keep our hearts aflame with His Spirit, and to resist the chilling winds of lawlessness. Let us not be overcome by the darkness of this age, but shine forth the light of God’s truth and love. For only those who hold fast to the love of God will endure to the end and be saved. May we be found faithful, guarding our hearts and minds, strengthening one another, and keeping the fire of love alive until the Lord Jesus Christ returns.

Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

Jas 5:20 Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through your truth: your word is truth.

Freely, I have received from the word of God; freely, I have given to all who would receive the truth of God.

Farewell,

Servanthood

FAQ — Iniquity Abounds as Love Grows Colder

Q: What does Jesus mean when He says love will grow cold? He teaches that when iniquity (lawlessness) increases, genuine love decreases (Mat 24:12). Sin hardens the heart, blinds the mind, and weakens compassion, causing people to withdraw from righteousness and from one another.

Q: What is biblical love? Biblical love is not merely affection or common interests. It is obedience to God’s commandments (Mar 12:30,31), mercy toward neighbor (Lev 19:18), and purity of thought (Zec 8:17). True love reflects God’s character, not human emotion.

Q: Why is loving only those who love us insufficient? Jesus teaches that sinners do the same (Luk 6:32). God’s love reaches beyond reciprocity. It requires loving even the difficult, the hostile, and the undeserving, because this reflects the Father’s mercy.

Q: What is iniquity according to Scripture? Iniquity is wickedness, sin, and gross injustice (Lev 5:17). It is the refusal to obey God’s commandments, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Iniquity is the root cause of spiritual coldness.

Q: Does God forgive iniquity? Yes. When we confess our sins sincerely, God abundantly forgives (Psa 32:5). Confession restores fellowship and removes the burden of guilt.

Q: How does iniquity spread? Like weeds. It grows when people listen to false teachers, embrace idolatry, or follow human traditions instead of God’s commandments (Deu 13:5; Deu 31:16-18). Once rooted, it corrupts families, communities, and nations.

Q: Who forsakes whom when people fall into sin? Scripture is clear: people forsake God first (Deu 31:16-18). God’s “hiding His face” is a response to persistent rebellion, not an arbitrary withdrawal.

Q: What are modern forms of idolatry? The worship of money, possessions, status, relationships, false religion, and worldly influence (2Co 4:4; Col 3:1-5). Anything that replaces God in the heart becomes an idol.

Q: What does it mean that the god of this world blinds minds? Satan blinds unbelievers to the gospel (2Co 4:3,4). He distracts them with sin, pride, and worldly desires so they cannot see the truth of Christ.

Q: What is the true gospel Jesus preached? Repentance and the Kingdom of God (Mat 4:17). It is not emotional acceptance but pressing into God’s righteousness (Luk 16:16) and obeying His commandments.

Q: Did the apostles preach the same gospel? Yes. They preached the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Act 8:12; Act 14:21,22). The gospel has always been the same.

Q: Is the Kingdom of God a literal kingdom? Yes. At Christ’s return, the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of the Lord and His Christ (Rev 11:15). The meek will inherit the earth (Mat 5:5).

Q: Why is the world deteriorating so rapidly? Because Satan has great wrath, knowing his time is short (Rev 12:12). His deception intensifies as the end approaches, leading to unprecedented tribulation (Mat 24:21,22).

Q: Can anyone know the exact time of Christ’s return? No. Only the Father knows the day and hour (Mat 24:36). Any person claiming otherwise contradicts Christ’s own words.

Q: How does love save? Love reflects God’s nature (1Jn 4:7,8). It fulfills His commandments, drives out fear (1Jn 4:18), and covers a multitude of sins (1Pe 4:8). Love is the evidence of God dwelling in us.

Q: What is propitiation? It means Christ became the atoning sacrifice that satisfies God’s righteous judgment (1Jn 4:10). Through His blood, wrath is turned away and fellowship restored.

Q: How does baptism relate to love and iniquity? Baptism brings a believer into the body of Christ (Eph 2:19-22). It marks repentance, cleansing, and entry into the new covenant where love is perfected through the Spirit.

Q: How do we keep love from growing cold? By obeying God’s commandments, resisting iniquity, confessing sin, walking in the Spirit, loving one another, and holding fast to truth (Joh 17:17; 1Jn 4:12-21).

Q: What is the believer’s responsibility when others fall into error? To restore them gently (Jas 5:19,20). Turning a sinner from error saves a soul from death and hides a multitude of sins.

Q: What is the final hope for believers in a world of growing iniquity? Endurance. Those who keep God’s love alive, resist lawlessness, and remain faithful will endure to the end and be saved (Mat 24:13).