‘In the wake of present darkness, let’s not lose our love’

People have begun losing their love. Scripture taken out of context is a pet peeve of mine; I’m very wary of it. But just read this: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12, NKJV). This specific verse is from a portion of scripture where Jesus prophesied about the end times. I find it particularly relevant today, regardless of individual doomsday theologies. 

The first half is inarguably fitting in the present climate. Other translations replace lawlessness with “sin will be rampant everywhere” (NLT), “the increase of wickedness” (NIV) and “the spread of evil” (GNT). 

The rise of violence

Women are particularly privy to a rise in violent crime across Europe and the US, to say nothing of worldwide. I was palpably shaken last year when I read about the death of 57-year-old Debrina Kawam, set on fire while sleeping on a New York City subway line I’d travelled on since childhood. More recently was the brutal stabbing murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, Iryna Zarutska in an unprovoked attack by a homeless man with 14 prior convictions, including three felonies. Captured and shared on social media, the violent attack happened in the blink of an eye while onlookers quietly left the train, the majority neglecting to help Iryna. 

Joining a culture of slander and accusation without honest evidence grieves the heart of God

As an American, I come across Brits frustrated over the level of gun violence in my country, while at the same time I bristle over the rape gang crisis that has ravaged young women throughout parts of the UK. There are so many stories of girls and their families pleading with law enforcement for justice and protection for decades, only to be threatened or charged themselves while perpetrators go unpunished. The trend of decreased severity in prison sentences also bewilders. The Telegraph has recently reported that a large majority of the British public believes prison sentences are too lenient. 

This level of violence is not new

When we see patterns in the wider world, where better to seek wisdom than in the scriptures? The ever-pervasive questions around criminality and the judiciary lead me to the book of Judges. One of the Bible’s most brutal, disturbing books, early on we encounter Ehud, who disembowels the obese enemy king of Moab (Judges 3); and Jael, who viciously pins Commander Sisera to the ground with a tent peg through his temple (Judges 4). Who can forget the graphic imagery of the hero Samson’s eyes gauged out by the Philistines (Judges 16). And one of the most upsetting stories in Judges, if not the entire Bible, is the violent rape of the Levite’s concubine, left to die alone, on his door step, before he cut her into twelve pieces, each dispersed to a separate tribe of Israel (Judges 19). Reading these verses puts today’s abounding violence into context; like Solomon said: “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). This is the closing scripture of Judges: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (21:25). 

Back then, as lawlessness abounded through lack of authority, I’m sure there was also a lack of love in Israel. For the prevalence of their sins, God handed them over to be oppressed by their enemies for seven years (Judges 6:1). Yet hearing their cries for mercy, he sent the angel of the Lord to encounter Gideon, the least member of the weakest clan of his tribe (Judges 6:11). I love how casually God reveals himself to Gideon (it’s possible the angel of the Lord spoken of in these passages is actually the pre-incarnate Jesus). He appears, sitting beneath a tree, while Gideon toils, doing his meagre part to help his people manage the starvation they’re suffering at the hands of the Midianites. Prophesying words of hope, identity, direction and encouragement to the young man, in the midst of sin and wickedness, God reveals himself as Jehovah shalom, “God is my peace”, which is the first time he is revealed by this name in the Bible (6:24). Gideon goes on to grow in favour with God, becoming the “mighty warrior” God proclaimed him to be at their first meeting (Judges 6:12).

Guarding our heart response

The verse at the start of this article came to me early the same day Christian leader and political pundit, Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September. Speaking to crowds on a university campus as he’d done for over a decade, Kirk was gunned down in cold blood, the video of his assassination shared over and over for millions to witness continuously on social media. I’ve long been familiar with Kirk’s organisation, Turning Point USA, his debates, world view, rhetoric and the diverse array of affiliates who called him friend; black, Latino, gay, Jewish, female. 

I can say unequivocally, Charlie Kirk was no bigot. Yet the prevalence of vitriol worked up by inaccurate soundbites and edited clips, out of context, has led to the internationally celebrated assassination of a man who had more impact on our cultural landscape, through presenting Christ to youth and young adults, than many others. The US House of Representatives as well as the European Parliament refused moments of silence in Kirk’s honour, and even in the Church, clear dissension shows when it comes to Kirk’s remembrance. Murdered in a time of great lawlessness, which he fiercely pushed back against, Kirk’s death has highlighted more than anything the Church’s need to guard against losing our love. Joining a culture of slander and accusation without honest evidence grieves the heart of God. “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community” (Proverbs 6:16-19). 

The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) calls us to share what Gideon discovered in Israel’s dark time of wickedness: God is peace, but only Jesus offers eternal peace with him. Charlie Kirk lived a life Christians have chartered from the Church’s inception; going into the world and challenging deceitful, vain arguments with the light of the gospel. You might not be as courageous as Kirk, but, like Gideon, God can take the meekest vessel who is willing, and raise them up in victory. Loving even our enemies, those who would cheer and chant our demise, with grievous concern over their eternity is the gospel. In the wake of present darkness, let’s not lose our love.