Army of Priests

New Christians are infectious. This week I got a chance to meet one of the people that had been saved this semester on my university campus. The way his eyes would light up upon reading passages from the bible for the first time bought a smile to my face. A pity, I thought, that his faith would eventually deteriorate into some day-in day-out cycle. But then I realised that I wasn’t thinking like the radical Christian I claim to be. I began to realise that if our passion is dying it is probably a sign that something is wrong.

A little background on me: I am a 19 year old university student living in Brisbane, Australia. I am heavily involved in reaching the lost and building strong inter-Christian relationships that support growth. I was raised in a Christian home though I never really “knew” God till after I thought I would waste some time praying to him when I was 8. I don’t remember very much of my early Christian hood, but I do remember praying for hours and soaking up the feelings that God would lavish upon me. Those feelings eventually went away and for years my passion was non-existent. That has all changed however and now I am far more passionate then I when I was a young Christian. I hope to explain some of the things that changed me from a dead Christian into an unstoppable one here.

First, I’ll describe passion as emotion that compels you to do something. If I have a passion for reading my bible, I am likely excited by what it contains and hence inclined to read it. If I am passionate about reaching the lost, I may feel deep compassion and love that drives me to spread God’s word. Secondly, there is a truth that is at the core of Christian growth: when you take one small step towards God, he takes a big step towards you. God is always desperate to help you and merely awaits you to show him (by action) that you want him to.

1. Keep Changing

The core of the gospel is that God can transform you from a sinner into a saint. Sin tears apart our lives and is making us far less that what we were created for. God’s goal is redemption: repairing the damage such that we can fulfil our original purpose as the jewel of God’s universe.

A lot of people never change however. They stay the same year in and year out never experiencing God’s transforming power. Do not be fooled: even the best of us is far from perfect and there is much to be done.

If you want to be passionate – let God change you. There are few things more exciting than seeing what God has done in your life. This is an active initiative on your part. You must recognise what needs to change in your life, ask yourself what you can do, and then do it asking God to help you. You must keep doing this continuously.

2. Know who God is

God is Big. God is Creative. God is Glorious. God is Powerful. God is Holy. God is Lovesick. God is Smart. God is Addictive. God is Eternal. God is.

The more I think about God, the more in awe of him I become. The fact that he died for me is astounding. The fact that this God listens to my every word when I pray, teaches me when I read his word, and uses me when I post blogs online is amazing. If your passion is dying, perhaps it is because you have taken your eyes off God.

Our Churches are filled with “me worship”. If you listen to most songs you will find more references you the singer than to God. We have to get ourselves back to our senses. God is God. Get a grip on who he is and you won’t be able to stop thinking about him.

3. Take Risks

I was not made for comfort. I was made to risk myself for something. I was made to get out of the boat.

Far too many Christians are doing the comfortable thing. They sit in the pews never stepping out of line or drawing attention to themselves. But God has called us to be more then a bench warmer. If we were all honest, I think we would all acknowledge that there is this constant challenge within us to do something. That is how this blog was formed. God is challenging me to take a bigger risk in sharing my knowledge.

The more risks you take, the more God will step in on your behalf. Ask yourself: Do you have enough faith in God to risk being a fool for him?

4. Reach the Lost

Few things are as exciting as knowing God is using me to change someone’s eternity. We aren’t all called to place ourselves in positions where we can evangelise, but we are called to evangelise in the situations where we are placed. It can be as simple as asking someone what they did on their weekend and waiting for them to ask you back.

Remember: other people are just like you. They can be lonely, like you. They can hurt, like you. They can be excited, like you. We often find ourselves thinking about other people as though they were not people. But they are, and they need you to step in and help them.

5. Value what God values

The more I value what God values the more I find he is wiling to help me live my values. God values humility over pride. He values giving over receiving. He values risk over safety.

For a lot of Christians, their main concern is their self. They don’t take risks for God. They don’t reach the lost. They don’t give their time, effort, or money. They are more concerned with appearance over authenticity. If we are going to be God’s Samurai, we must be fighting for the right things.

6. Be Transparent

Don’t pretend that your relationship with God is going great when it is not. Be honest. The fact that you value that relationship more than your image is precious to God. The prayers of other’s can have a mighty affect.

Moving beyond Passion

One final point: passion should not be our goal. The mature Christian will read their bible, pray, reach the lost, and take risks whether they are passionate or not. We should live for God independent of our feelings and there are times where God will take away feeling to help mature you. Our goal must be living for God regardless of the circumstances. If you are waiting for passion before you act, that passion will never come.