Its interesting to me when I hear someone talking about their passions. I think that word gets used a lot without considering the implications that it carries. The problem is when someone says, "I am passionate about this or that", but that "passion" yields no fruit. Its one thing to enjoy or to be somewhat invested in something, but to be passionate enters into an entirely different ball park. True passion yields results. You can say all day long that I am passionate about things, but unless they compel you to act, than I'm not convinced. I am passionate about good hygiene; therefore, I take showers and brush my teeth daily. I could never claim to be passionate about that which I am not acting on; Unless, of course, I say that I am passionate about lethargic slothful passivism.
I am passionate about having a healthy relationship to my wife; so, I work to maintain an open line of communication and I spend great effort to enjoy her and our marriage. Could you imagine someone walking up to you dressed in some scantly clad outfit and trying to persuade you of their passion for modesty. That would be absurd! My question for you, reader, is this; what are you passionate about?
Would you dare to say that you are passionate about evangelism? If so, are you out seeking the lost and giving them the gospel? Would you dare say that you are passionate about missions? If so, when is the last mission trip you went on (stateside or international)? Perhaps you would say that your passion is the infallible Word of God. If so, how has His word impacted your life and what books are you reading that heavily outweigh the time you spend in God's word? This has all been weighing heavily on my heart lately as I have been teaching through the Doctrine of God's Word. If we, at the risk of sounding cliche, say that we are so passionate about the things of God, than shouldn't that "passion" yield fruit? It MUST! Perhaps some of us should simply say I'm not passionate about spiritual things, but It sure interests me from time to time. At least that would be sincere. But, to say that I am passionate about God, evangelism, missions, the Church and His Word without fruit to back it up, is simply a lie.
I am not accusing anyone other than myself. You might say that I am passionate about false passions. I have been convicted and challenged, yet again by God's word, to live as though I'm more than just interested in God from time to time. Hopefully, this has been whatever its needed to be for you. God bless.
