In recent weeks, we have been witness through the media to much lawlessness in the streets, both here in the UK and, to a greater extent, in the USA. According to Lexico.com, the dictionary definition of 'lawlessness' is “a state of disorder due to a disregard of the law”. However, the scriptural definition goes beyond the law of the land.
In the New Testament, the Greek word translated as 'lawlessness' is anomia, which literally means 'a state of being without law' and, in the 15 contexts where the word is used, it always refers to either a conscious or unconscious disregard of the law of God. Specifically, this law means the first five books of the Bible, the Torah (meaning 'direction', 'instruction' or 'law'), as later embodied, completed and taught by the Lord himself (Deut 18:15-19; Matt 5:17-19).
The Righteous One
Lawlessness is sin (1 John 3:4) and the Lord hates it (Heb 1:9). Only the righteous will dwell with him for eternity (Matt 13:41-43). Consider the Lord’s own words as to how he will judge those professing to follow him:
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:21-23)
It is not solely a question of deeds; the condition of our inner person is just as important. In addressing the scribes and Pharisees, the Lord described them in this way: “‘For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness’” (Matt 23:27-28). As followers of the Lord, our hearts are to be steadfastly faithful to him (Rom 10:10). This is the breastplate of righteousness that he has given to us, which each of us must put on (Eph 6:14).
The Lord has given to each of us the breastplate of righteousness, which we must put on.
The Increase of Lawlessness
We have been in 'the last days' since the Lord’s first coming (Acts 2:16-17; Heb 1:2; 2 Pet 3:8) but, as we see more frequent and intense birth pangs happening around us (Matt 24:1-8; Mark 13:1-8; Luke 21:5-11), it is clear that the remaining signs of the end of the age are coming quickly into view:
Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of my name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matt 24:9-14)
Why should increased lawlessness affect the love of many? First, God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and we only love “because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19) and poured out his love within our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). However, we are then called to abide continually in his love by walking in faithful obedience: “‘Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love; just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love’” (John 15:9-10).
If we do not walk in faithful obedience, we do not abide in the love and life of God: “‘As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing’” (John 15:4-5). In short, if we are out of fellowship with God, our love “will grow cold”.
The Man and Mystery of Lawlessness
Continuing on the theme of the end of the age, let us also take careful note of the warnings given in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12:
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [the day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of his mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of his coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
The “man of lawlessness” or “lawless one” is, of course, none other than the Anti-Christ himself; a man diametrically different and opposed to the Lord in every way. The ground is already being prepared for the Anti-Christ by stealth, through what is called here “the mystery of lawlessness” or, as it is described in 1 John 4:3, “the spirit of the antichrist”.
If we are out of fellowship with God, our love “will grow cold”.
The Way of Righteousness
As times get harder and persecution gathers pace (particularly in the West), many professing believers will cease to obey the law of God. The Lord referred to such people in the Parable of the Sower: “‘Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away’” (Luke 8:13).
Those who fall away will stop loving God and loving their neighbour (Matt 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31; John 13:34-35; 15:12-13, 17; Rom 13:8-10; Gal 5:14; James 2:8). Instead, they will love self and will love their lives when faced with death (cf. Rev 12:11). Tragically, they will align themselves with lawlessness and the Anti-Christ by not receiving “the love of the truth” (2 Thess 2:10), choosing rather to pay attention to “deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim 4:1).
Obviously, none of us wants to be counted among that number. So, now is the time to start preparing for what lies ahead. What is the state of our faithfulness and love now? Is it hot, cold or lukewarm (Rev 3:14-18)? For all who are led by the Spirit to repent, the Lord holds out this promise: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20). We are invited to a place of renewed fellowship with him, where our sins are forgiven and remembered no more (Rom 4:7; Heb 10:17).
It remains the Lord’s intention and desire to purify for himself a people for his own possession, who are slaves to righteousness and zealous for good deeds (Rom 6:19; Titus 2:14). Therefore, let there not be in any one of us “an evil, unbelieving heart” (Heb 3:12). Let us resolve to have nothing to do with lawlessness or darkness (2 Cor 6:14). For we are, indeed, “the temple of the living God” (2 Cor 6:16).
All Bible quotes from the NASB.
