Yesterday, Palm Sunday begins “Holy Week” in the Christian church. This week, Michael writes that if the resurrection of Jesus Christ is true, then the Word of God is truth. If the Word of God is truth, our challenge is to align the purpose of our life according to the Word of truth. Men and women often think that they can rest in their own accomplishments and on their own laurels. However, our life is not our own … that which endures is that which counts, not for this moment, but for eternity. Only Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life … without Him there is no life. God doesn’t want your promises and your praise … He wants your heart and your life demonstrated by obedience to His Holy Word.
In the midst of the crisis, God expects His people to rise to the occasion. Edward McKendree Bounds (August 15, 1835 – August 24, 1913) prominently known as E.M. Bounds, was an American author, attorney, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South clergy. In his book “A Fiery Church”, EM says that God expects us to be on fire, white hot with zeal about our God given faith. According to John Wesley, English cleric, theologian, and evangelist, who was a leader of a revival movement within the Church of England known as Methodism, if you set yourself ablaze for Jesus Christ, people will gather from miles around to watch you burn. In Revelation 3, the Bible says that Laodiceans were neither hot nor cold. They were tepid, lukewarm and ineffective. However, the effectual, fervent, white hot and passionate prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much. A fiery soul is the soul who conquers in the day of the spiritual battle and besieges the strongholds of evil with unshaken zeal.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Jesus’ commission in the Christian mission.
What is your mission purpose statement? What’s your goal in other people’s lives? For what are you passionate? Love is kindled in the flame and passion for our Lord. Therefore, quench not the Holy Spirit. For we have this treasure of the Holy Spirit in an earthen vessel that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. To fan the flame of the Spirit of God in Christ in us, we must link with likeminded men and women who walk in the light as He is the light. You are most like those with whom you associate. The question is: Who are your three and who are your twelve? With whom are you at your best? I’m here because the Lord makes me want to be a better person. For our fellowship is with our Father, His son Christ Jesus, and one with another in the household of faith. We associate with our Band of Brothers and Sisters, so that we can run the race and choke in the dust of those in hot pursuit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Passion is the soul of prayer. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Blessed is the person whose delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law do they meditate day and night. Prayer is energized by the Holy Spirit as we set our affections on things above. Our culture says that mankind is basically good. However, according to Romans 3, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In my flesh dwells no good thing.
Let's continue Michael's message on passion for Christ in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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