As Christians we should be passionate. Within us there is a burning fire by the Holy Spirit. Without this love that grows stronger and stronger it is impossible to live a God pleasing life. We have made the Christianity a religion of tradition. It was dead for so long but not anymore. He is pouring out His Spirit so that we may have a consuming fire in our midst.
See what a passion was in the heart of Paul: But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8
Look at the reaction of the apostles when they suffered. Acts 5:40-41
What a God do we serve? Isn't He worthy of our lives and our passion? See at
Paul as a Role Model
Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 21:13 I am willing not only to be bound but to die in Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus.
Do you see that? He saw the suffering before him and said that these things do not move him. Why? Because he wanted to finish his race with JOY!
If he didn't give everything to God he wouldn't have the joy. Wow! This once self-righteous guy can say this. He could have boasted in his flesh. Can you?
Oh I fasted several times for seven times, pray three hours a day, I worship 1 hour a day and preach the gospel to everyone I see. This is a comparison to the situation of Paul. He could boast in his righteousness. But all this he said he counts as loss that he may see the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Amazing! He was a man full of joy. Why? He did know the Lord!
What was the Driving Force Behind His Life?
The Excellency of Christ.
Can you see all the burden and pain in the soul and body of Paul. He carried all the sorrow for the churches and he suffered severely in his flesh. Why? For Christ. That He may be found worthy to be resurrected with him. His passion was Christ himself! He knew what he was and he knew what HE was. I am the least of all sinners.
How dear is Christ to me?
What drove Mary to pour out her alabaster box on the feet of Jesus? It was His beauty in the Spirit. She saw the awesomeness of His humility in His heart. She was drawn by His attraction power which is the love we seek our whole life. There were these cords of love and she grabbed hold of these. Do we?
What do we see in our savior? Jesus cried and wept when Lazarus died. He was moved with compassion for those who were oppressed by the devil. He healed the sick with compassion, he cast out the demons with compassion. The question is not if God loves me, it is are we humble. Because He resists the proud ones. He died for us with compassion. This heart was the driving force of Paul and Mary. It was the driving force for all the martyrs of the ages. It was the power for the heroes of faith.
Let us observe the person of Christ in Revelation 1.
It is written: Then I turned...
Sometimes we need to turn to see Jesus. Are we on the way towards God or from God away? His eyes are like flames of fire. These eyes attract your whole being to Him. They pull you to the heart of God. His face shines in the power of the sun.
This God is filling more than the universe. All we do we are only able due to his power and life in us. He is filling all of us.
Worthy is the Lamb
Some other great verses in Revelation:
Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty. Who was and is and is to come. You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power For you created all things
and by your will they exist and were create.
Worthy is the lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.
We give you thanks, O Lord God Almighty, The One who was and who is and who is to come, because you have taken your great power and reigned, The nations were angry and your wrath has come and the time of the dead that they should be judged and that you should reward your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear your name, small and great, and should destroy those who destroy the earth.
Great and marvelous are your works Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O king of the saints! Who shall not fear you O Lord and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before you, For your judgments have been manifested.
He is worthy to be praised, because of what He does and what He is.
Paul said: Cursed shall be those who do not love the Lord. And yes indeed those who do not love the Lord, because He is better than life. He conquered and destroyed Babylon. He is victorious in all His ways.
Amen! He is worthy!
Benedikt Schwabe
Visitor Comments (0)
