Don't Let Your Love Grow Cold: Embracing Faith, Community, and Emotional Wisdom

In a world filled with division and uncertainty, it's easy to let our love for one another falter. But as believers, we are called to rise above the noise, to love even when it's hard, and to remain steadfast in faith. At Pioneer Church Memphis, we’re on a mission to cultivate a love that never grows cold—rooted in Christ and nurtured through community. Let’s explore what it means to hold onto love, steward our emotions, and stand firm in faith, no matter the challenges we face.

The Call to Love: A Wake-Up for the Church

This week, the Lord led us to reflect on Matthew 24:9-12, where it speaks of love growing cold in the face of wickedness. Many of us have turned to idols—whether it’s social media or political divisions—to express our frustrations, forgetting our higher calling. Instead of pointing fingers at the true enemy, we often turn on each other. But Jesus reminds us that we are to love even our persecutors. “If the love grows cold in the church, who else is supposed to love?”

Let’s be clear: our enemy is not our brother or sister in Christ. It’s not a political party or someone who disagrees with us. Our enemy is the one who seeks to divide and destroy. Jesus calls us to stand firm in love, to be thermostats that set the temperature of compassion and grace, not thermometers that simply reflect the world’s anger. Who are you? A thermostat or a thermometer? Let’s choose love.

Understanding Emotions: Stewarding a Holy Gift

Emotions are not bad; they are a gift from God. But how we process and act on them makes all the difference. As Pastor Jeremy shared, "Feelings are real, but feelings are fickle." Suppressing or letting emotions run wild can lead to destruction. Instead, we are called to steward our emotions through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Here’s what we can learn:

• Emotional Suppression: Stuffing down feelings may seem like strength, but it can lead to internal damage and unexpected emotional outbursts.

• Emotional Dysregulation: Allowing emotions to take the driver’s seat leads to rash decisions and broken relationships.

• Holy Submission: Submit your emotions to God and let the Holy Spirit guide you. Emotions, when given to the Lord, can lead to deeper intimacy and wisdom.

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s emotions, which are always holy and righteous. We, too, are called to process our emotions with wisdom, reflecting His love and justice. Remember, emotions are like a baby in the backseat—they can cry, laugh, or make a mess, but they should never drive the car. Tend to them, but don’t let them take control.

Practical Wisdom: HALT and Reflect

When faced with strong emotions, use the HALT method to pause and reflect:

• Hungry

• Angry

• Lonely

• Tired

These states often lead to poor decisions. Before acting, ask yourself if you’re in one of these conditions and bring your emotions before the Lord. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think about what is true, noble, right, pure, and praiseworthy. Let these principles guide your words and actions.

Love in Action: Standing in the Radical Middle

As Christians, we are called to stand in the radical middle with Jesus, loving those on both sides of any divide. Pastor Jeremy shared, “I will never lean to any side. I will love those who hate me. I will love those who gossip about me. My love for people will not grow cold.”

This kind of love isn’t easy, but it’s transformative. It requires humility, grace, and a constant reminder of where God brought us from. Don’t forget your testimony. Let it fuel your love for others, showing them the same grace that God showed you. Ask more questions, make fewer assumptions, and remember: your response is your responsibility.

A Journey Through Wisdom Literature

This month at Pioneer Church, we are diving into the Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes to learn how to process emotions honestly and direct them with wisdom. From David’s heartfelt psalms to the practical insights of Proverbs, we’ll explore how to steward both our joys and our sorrows. Let’s grow in emotional and spiritual maturity together.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold

The love of Christ is powerful, transformative, and enduring. But it requires active stewardship. Are you willing to love beyond divisions, steward your emotions wisely, and stand firm in faith? Let’s commit to being dangerous warriors for the kingdom, fierce in love and tender in spirit. Together, we can reflect the heart of Jesus in a world that desperately needs it.

We invite you to join us at Pioneer Church Memphis next Sunday as we celebrate eight years of God’s faithfulness and look ahead to all He has in store. Whether in-person or online, let’s journey together in love, faith, and community. How will you keep your love from growing cold this week?