Off The Deep End

People often become passionate about causes and issues as convictions grow. Passion for worthwhile causes that glorify God and validate God’s word contribute to the Great Commission and our witness.

If passions become extreme, however, our enthusiasm can work against us. I am passionate about speaking out and standing up against a few things I believe are diametrically opposed to God’s law and God’s will for me and for authentic followers of Jesus. I am even more passionate about my love for Jesus and for serving Him as a disciple.

I know believers whose passions are more intense than mine.

But, if we’re not careful our passions can take a flying leap off the deep end. Consume us. Define us. People may even begin to identify us as our passions, losing part of our identity and tarnishing our testimonies.

When our passion overtakes us, we lose our focus. The focus becomes more on our cause than the cause of Christ. We can become so entangled in our quest for justice or righteousness or whatever, that we diminish our love for Jesus.

If our first and greatest commandment becomes loving our passion with all our heart instead of loving God with all our heart, we will find ourselves floundering, burning out on our cause and our relationship with Jesus.

In Revelation Jesus commends the church at Ephesus. Jesus commends them for their good works and their patience, and He says,

“…you have persevered and have patience and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.”

But then he says,

“Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:3-4

Our passions show our convictions for those things that captivate our beliefs. Our passions motivate us to live effective lives for Jesus.

But Jesus cautions us to love Him and consider our passions and our causes as secondary to our love and passion for Christ.