| What is Your REAL Passion? |
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John felt like a failure.
Liz asked why. John simply said because he was in debt, had not met his personal expectations and most importantly to him, he felt like a failure in his church life. He believed that few respected or loved him. In short, his life sucked.
Liz asked him what about church was his passion. Was it the music, the preaching, the missions, the charities, ceremonies, traditions, or something else? He simply said Christ and his teachings. Then she asked which of Christ's teachings John thought was most important. John simply said loving God and neighbor.
Liz asked if John was following his passion and loving God and his neighbor. He simply said, no, because he was angry at the church for hurting him and for all the political machinations that stopped Christians from doing what they're supposed to.
Liz asked why that would stop John from pursuing HIS passion. Why was it John's business what others thought of him or what others did? He realized that he had allowed the conduct and opinions of others to prevent him from pursuing REAL Christianity. He realized that REAL Christianity was not about how well he was thought of, how other Christians conducted themselves towards him or anyone else, but how HE loved God and them.
John's real passion was not a well-respected position, a good reputation, or even having many friends who loved him. Nor was his real passion any particular doctrine which might divide one Christian from another. He saw that as majoring in the minors. His real passion was following Christ and his Great Commandments. Why had he stopped? Why had he allowed people problems to sidetrack him from his love of God and neighbor? Why had he allowed his frustration with religious "stuff" and the imperfections of church life to stop him from pursuing his real passion, the REAL religion of Christ and of love? He was determined to get back to his real passion.
What is your REAL passion? |
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Gene |
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December 13, 2007 at 4:44pm |
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John had allowed his real passion to become one of image rather than God. By being more concerned with what he would look like being associated with things that he felt was somehow connected to his activities related to God.
It's not that we shouldn't care what people think or how we look. We just can't let those things drive our actions. |
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Grant |
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December 14, 2007 at 12:51pm |
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| So, what is YOUR real passion Gene? |
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Gene |
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December 14, 2007 at 3:49pm |
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My real passion is to educate and train up the saints for service beyond the four walls. there seems to be a dichotomy in the Church between those evangelicals who "preach the word" to the unsaved (even if its within their own church) and the mainstream denominations who have global missions - as long as someone else does that.
There are too few people who recognize taht there are hurts within the body that we can bind up and little collaboration between congregations to help one another. Together we can do much more than we can individually to help suffering and reach the unchurched.
4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.
There is strength in numbers.
A part of understanding that is to be able to get beyond the doctrinal issues that divide us. We are all united under the blood of Christ; born of the same Father and given the same Holy Spirit - one God. Whether I baptize now or later; whether we use these words or those words at communion; whether we call it communion, Eucharist; or the Lord's Supper - these are all secondary to the saving Grace offered from God.
My passion - the union of Christianity for the sake of the world.
(The soap box is now open) |
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Grant |
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December 14, 2007 at 4:45pm |
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| A worthy passion indeed! |
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Grant |
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December 15, 2007 at 6:54am |
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Ah, yes, the ones who teach us about conversion and humility.
18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
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