Christian Living

Return to Love The Answer to a Cold and Dying World

by Brother Carlton 
05/11/26
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In my last we talked about a very sobering truth spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter 24 and verse 12:

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

What a frightening  prophecy.

Jesus said that in the last days, sin, lawlessness, selfishness, corruption, violence, deception, and moral decay would increase—and as a result, the love of many people would grow cold.

And isn’t that exactly what we are seeing today?

Families are drifting apart.

Marriages are collapsing.

Friendships are becoming shallow.

People barely know their neighbors anymore.

Many churches are filled with activity but lacking genuine love.

Millions of people are lonely, depressed, anxious, fearful, and emotionally exhausted.

But today, I want to move from the problem to the solution.

If love is growing cold…

how do we return to love?

And I believe the answer is found in one person alone:

Jesus Christ.

Because when you study the life of Jesus, you discover something absolutely powerful:

Jesus did not merely preach about love.

Jesus demonstrated love.

Again and again.

Toward the weak.

Toward sinners.

Toward doubters.

Toward broken people.

Toward people who failed Him.

Toward people who denied Him.

Toward people who were spiritually dead.

And perhaps one of the greatest demonstrations of Christ’s love was His relationship with Peter.

You remember Peter.

Bold Peter.

Impulsive Peter.

The disciple who sincerely loved Christ but often spoke before thinking.

Peter was the one who declared:

“Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.”
Matthew 26:33

Peter believed he would never fail Christ.

But Jesus knew better.

Jesus knew Satan desired to destroy Peter’s faith.

And before Peter ever denied the Lord three times, Jesus said something remarkable in Luke 22:31-32:

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Think about that.

Jesus knew Peter was going to fail.

He knew Peter would deny Him.

He knew Peter would break down emotionally.

But Jesus still loved him.

Jesus prayed for him.

Jesus interceded for him.

And that, my friends, is love.

Real love does not abandon people the moment they stumble.

Real love restores.

Real love lifts up.

Real love fights for the soul of another person.

And after the resurrection, what did Jesus do?

Did He reject Peter forever?

Did He shame him publicly?

Did He humiliate him?

No.

Jesus restored him.

In John chapter 21, Jesus asked Peter three times:

“Lovest thou me?”

And with every answer, Jesus recommissioned him.

“Feed my sheep.”

“Feed my lambs.”

What tenderness.

What mercy.

What compassion.

Peter denied Christ publicly, but Christ restored Peter lovingly.

And perhaps there are people listening right now who feel like Peter.

Maybe you failed God.

Maybe you drifted spiritually.

Maybe your love has grown cold.

Maybe you became bitter, angry, fearful, cynical, or discouraged.

But here is the good news:

Jesus still restores people.

He still forgives people.

He still heals wounded hearts.

He still brings prodigals home.

And perhaps one of the greatest pictures of Christ’s love is found in the story of Lazarus.

In John chapter 11, Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, became sick.

And the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying:

“Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.”

Notice that phrase:

“He whom thou lovest.”

They knew Jesus loved Lazarus.

But something strange happened.

Jesus delayed coming.

And while He delayed, Lazarus died.

By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had already been dead four days.

Martha said unto Jesus:

“Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
John 11:21

And later Mary said almost the exact same thing:

“Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
John 11:32

They were grieving.

Brokenhearted.

Confused.

And then we come to the shortest verse in the Bible:

“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35

What an incredible verse.

The Son of God standing before a tomb… weeping.

Why?

Because love feels pain.

Love cares deeply.

Love is moved by suffering.

Jesus was not cold.

Jesus was not emotionally detached.

Jesus loved Lazarus.

And then Jesus cried with a loud voice:

“Lazarus, come forth.”
John 11:43

And Lazarus came out of the grave alive.

What power.

What love.

What mercy.

But there is also a deeper spiritual picture here.

Lazarus was physically dead.

And the Bible says humanity is spiritually dead.

Ephesians 2:1 says:

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

Before salvation, we are spiritually lifeless.

Separated from God.

Bound by sin.

Unable to save ourselves.

But Jesus calls spiritually dead people to life.

Just as He stood before the tomb of Lazarus, Christ stands before spiritually dead sinners and gives life.

That is love.

Jesus does not merely improve people.

He resurrects them spiritually.

He gives them a new heart.

A new mind.

A new direction.

A new purpose.

And perhaps that is why our world is becoming so cold.

People are trying to find life apart from the One who gives life.

They are looking for fulfillment in politics, money, entertainment, social media, materialism, pleasure, and self-centered living.

But none of those things can warm a cold heart.

Only Christ can do that.

Only the love of God can soften bitterness.

Only the Holy Spirit can change a hardened soul.

Only Jesus can teach us how to truly love one another.

And friends, if there was ever a time for Christians to demonstrate the love of Christ, it is now.

Not fake love.

Not sentimental love.

But biblical love.

Love that forgives.

Love that serves.

Love that sacrifices.

Love that tells the truth.

Love that prays for others.

Love that encourages the weak.

Love that reaches out to lonely people.

Love that refuses to become cynical in a corrupt world.

Because the temptation today is to become hard.

Cold.

Suspicious.

Angry.

Bitter.

But Jesus calls us to something higher.

He calls us to return to love.

In Revelation chapter 2, Jesus rebuked the church at Ephesus because although they had doctrine and works, they had lost something precious.

Their first love.

And Jesus said:

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works.”
Revelation 2:5

Maybe some of us need to return to our first love today.

Back to prayer.

Back to compassion.

Back to mercy.

Back to kindness.

Back to serving others.

Back to loving Christ deeply.

Because when the love of Christ fills the heart, it overflows into the lives of others.

And perhaps the greatest example of love was the cross itself.

Jesus willingly suffered, bled, and died for sinners.

Romans 5:8 says:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Not when we deserved it.

Not when we earned it.

While we were yet sinners.

That is love.

And that love is still powerful enough to transform lives today.

So if the world is growing colder…

then let believers grow warmer.

If hatred is increasing…

let Christians increase in love.

If society is becoming darker…

let the people of God shine brighter.

And let us remember the words of Jesus:

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
John 13:35

This is Brother Carlton reminding you:

Don’t let your love grow cold.

Return to love.

Return to Christ.

And let His love shine through your life in a world desperately needing hope.

Brother Carlton is a former U.S. Marine, Hollywood actor, and entrepreneur whose life journey—from the Marine Corps to Hollywood to Christian ministry—has given him a unique perspective on faith, purpose, and personal transformation. Today, he devotes his time to studying Scripture, writing, speaking, and helping select small business owners improve their marketing and grow their businesses ethically and effectively.

His book, Digging For Spiritual Treasure: A Collection of Meditations From My Hollywood Apartment, shares powerful spiritual insights drawn from Scripture and real-life experiences to help readers deepen their faith and discover practical biblical wisdom for everyday life.

Search “Digging For Spiritual Treasure Brother Carlton” on Amazon to learn more.

You can also listen to The Brother Carlton Show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where Brother Carlton shares biblical insights, life lessons, and practical wisdom for living with greater purpose.

Ministry, speaking, or business inquiries:
[email protected] (please include “HELP” in the subject line)