Jesus warned us of the perilous times we would face as the day of His return draws closer. He said there would be wars, famine, pandemics and earthquakes – all taking place at an alarming rate of intensity and frequency. He spoke of a great moral decline, where society at large, would mirror the behavior of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot – before it was destroyed by fire; and the days of Noah – before the flood. He warned of the great apostasy of the church, where many would fall away from faith, and their love for God and others would grow cold. But in all this – He assured us that He will cause His people, who remain faithful, to thrive and become radiant with His glory. We will be a beacon of light, shinning in the darkness for those who recognize their need for a Saviour. The most effective witness we will ever be – in a world gone mad – is to have evidence of God’s love living in and through us. John 13:35 says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” God’s love abounding in us is the most powerful and attractive force. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 says God’s love, “…bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end] …” These qualities must be overflowing in us to overcome and flourish in the days we are living in. Paul taught us exactly how to have them abound in us in Philippians 1:9. He said love would abound and extend to its fullest development – THROUGH our knowledge of God’s Word. When we decide to aggressively study God’s Word, it will reveal His love for us, and that love, with all its powerful attributes, will cause us to love others and attract them to know the source of that love – for themselves. (1 Corinthians 13:13).