Zeal

Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11, NRSV.

Passion...the event between the Last Supper and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It's also the term often used to describe sexual desire, but more generally the term describes an emotion of intense affection and compelling action. It's a term I believe we need to reclaim.

We've been talking about this in the church for a while. It's part of our vision statement at Newburgh UMC, Growing Passionate Disciples. But what does that really mean?

John Wesley and other early Methodists were accused of being too enthusiastic in their faith; too methodical (hence the name that stuck); too passionate. But Wesley challenged their accusations and preached earnestly against enthusiasm, a term he used to describe the madness of those who thought of themselves truly Christians, faithful worshipers, and living the "Christian life," but have never "tasted the love of God, or been "made partakers of the Holy Ghost!"" In other words, those who go through the motions of the Christian faith, but never have it truly in them. They put on a good show, even for themselves and those around them, but who honestly don't know what they do or why they do it. 

On the flip side of this is an honest and humble faith, seeking the very heart of God from the very heart of the worshiper, who seeks the love of God above all else and whose life flows out of this grace.Simply put, what Wesley advocated for his churches and for all Methodists was a deeper feeling towards God and letting that guide everything else. It wasn't excitability, but passion he desired. 

I believe that's what Paul was concerned about in his letter to the church at Rome. "Do not lag in zeal," he wrote. It's a good word to us today.

It's what Jesus said, taught, exampled, lived. His life would be defined especially by its last hours, not because he acted religiously, rather humbly and decisively. It was his Passion.

And it is to be ours, too. When we place God above ourselves, when we love God with heart, soul, mind and strength; and when we sacrifice for others, loving truly, honestly, humbly, decisively; then we've begun to find Christ's passion for ourselves. Then that passion towards God will begin to show in our attitude, our humility, our worship, our discipleship, and our service to the world. 

We need to reclaim passion. Our very life depends on it.