GODLY PASSION

PROMISES TO KEEP

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died for them and was raised again. –– II Corinthians 5:14-15

It takes God to love God. It takes a progressive revelation of God’s infinitely satisfying love; His exuberant affections and His indescribable beauty to awaken the church and compel her to give herself wholly back to Him. Like Paul, believers will be compelled by this knowledge of God’s love.

Some believers look at others who have high energy personalities and say, “If I were wired with 220 volts like you, I’d be filled with zeal and passion for God, too. But I have a totally different temperament. I’m one of those 110-volt folks.” Passion for Jesus is not a personality trait. You can have the gentlest human makeup possible and still be consumed with the fire of God. You may not express your passion in the same way a “220- volt” type of personality does, but that fiery devotion will be there, and it will be just as real.

It doesn’t matter how much human energy or natural zeal we possess. Passion for Jesus is the fruit of recognizing His dedication to us—not the fruit of our dedication to Him. We will walk in a life of commitment to Him because He is committed to us.

When we stand before God, not a person on earth will be able to say, “I gave more to You than You gave to me.”