What does EGW write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "Love will grow cold among church members"
Answer
In the writings of Ellen G. White it is clearly warned that love among the members of the church will grow cold in the end times because of the increasing lawlessness. This development affects not only the world but also penetrates the church when believers indulge in worldly love and personal sins. When this happens, missionary zeal wanes, and in place of brotherly love come indifference, a penchant for criticism, and disputes. A major reason for this decline is the diminishing personal fellowship with God and the abandonment of active work for the salvation of others. Only through sincere repentance and a return to the “first love” can this spiritual decay be halted.
The Cause of Love Growing Cold
»I was shown that we live amid the dangers of the last days. Because lawlessness is prevailing, the love of many grows cold. The word “many” refers to the professing followers of Christ. They are influenced by the prevailing lawlessness and fall away from God; but it is not necessary that they be so influenced. The cause of this decline is that they do not keep themselves purely from this lawlessness.«
Lack of Brotherly Love
»In the church of God there is today a great lack of brotherly love. Many of those who profess to love the Savior neglect to love those who are connected with them in Christian fellowship. ... The people of the world watch us to see whether our faith exerts a sanctifying influence on our hearts. They quickly notice every deficiency in our lives, every inconsistency in our actions.«
Loss of the Missionary Spirit
»The reason there is no deeper religious fervor in the church and no more serious love for one another is that the missionary spirit has died out. Today little is said about the coming of Christ, which once was the subject of thought and conversation. There is an inexplicable restraint, a growing aversion to religious discussions; instead, vain, superficial chatter is praised.«
The Danger of Worldliness
»The same spirit of selfishness and conformity to the practices of the world exists in our time as it did in the days of Noah. ... This is the condition of a great number of our own people. Because lawlessness is prevailing, the love of many grows cold. Only a few can say: “You are all ... children of the day; we do not belong to the night or darkness.”«
Spiritual Lethargy and Formalism
»Love of the world, love of a favorite sin has weaned the heart from love of prayer and contemplation of holy things. A formal cycle of religious services is maintained; but where is the love for Jesus? Spirituality is dying. Should this rigidity, this sad deterioration be continued?«
- Love Growing Cold End Times
- Brotherly Love in the Church
- Lawlessness and Spiritual Decline
Original Sources (English)
