PASSION: THE MISSING INGREDIENT

By Rev. Bryan Greene

 As we live in what we think to be the Laodicean church age of the last days, the indictment of the Lord Jesus against this church that they were neither cold nor hot has surely come to pass. In other words the church is losing its passion. These believers at Laodicea were no longer laboring for the Lord but evidently for the things of this world (see Rev. 3:17). Such is true today as we see so many Christians not giving their all in the race of faith. Let me submit some areas that we need to be passionate about which seem lacking in the church as a whole.

First we need to be PASSIONATE WITH OUR POCKETBOOKS. In II Corinthians 8:1-6, we see that the churches of Macedonia in their deep poverty gave abundantly to the ministry of the apostle Paul. They were not worried about a cozy retirement, second home, a third car, living in the nicest of neighborhoods, or the state of the stock market. They were concerned for the needs of the ministry, the man of God and the salvation of souls. The Bible does teach planning and being a wise steward, but I am afraid that many today simply use these arguments as a means to the satisfying of the flesh without much concern for the souls of men, women, boys and girls who are dying without Christ in areas that have never been touched by the Gospel.

Secondly, we need to be PASSIONATE IN OUR PRAYING. In James 5:16b we are told that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. This is simply put, passionate prayer. Matthew 9:38 tells us to pray that the Lord would send forth laborers into His harvest. The word prayer here simply means a longing of the soul, a deep burning desire, a beseeching and begging before the throne of grace. How many of us moms and dads are willing to pray in this manner that God might send us or better yet our children to those who sit in the regions of spiritual darkness.

Thirdly, we need to be PASSIONATE IN OUR PURSUIT OF HOLINESS. In Acts 24:16, Paul stated, “and herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men”. The word exercise here means to strive or labor. In other words, Paul was passionate about keeping his life pure before God and men.

Lastly, we need to be PASSIONATE IN OUR PURSUIT OF THE SOULS OF MEN. In John chapter 4 we see that Jesus had meat to eat that His disciples did not understand. It began to be fulfilled when he “must needs go through Samaria” in pursuit of the soul of one who had become an outcast in society. As His disciples wondered aloud why He was not concerned about His belly, He basked in the joy of one who had eaten of the living bread of Himself, which He came to offer to all.

Christ is still standing at the door of the church, knocking and waiting for more to answer the call to wholeheartedly and passionately give themselves to Him as a living sacrifice. Might more both young and old answer the door as Paul did by asking, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do”?

Source:  Maranatha Baptist Watchman - August 2003 - www.mbcmin.org