Homecoming -- What Is Passion?

Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Read 2 Kings 19:31, Isaiah 37:32, John 2:13-17, Romans 10:2-4, Titus 2:14
By Carmel Jackson

The word Passion comes from the Latin word passio meaning "suffering," "being acted upon." Webster’s 9th Edition Collegiate Dictionary defines passion as (1a) the sufferings of Christ between the night of the Last Supper and His death. Synonyms: fervor, ardor, enthusiasm, zeal.

Passion applies to an emotion this is deeply stirring or ungovernable. Fervor implies a warm and steady emotion. Ardor suggests warm and excited feeling likely to be fitful or short-lived. Enthusiasm applies to lively or eager interest in or admiration for a proposal or cause. Zeal implies energetic and unflagging pursuit of an aim or devotion to a cause.

What is unflagging? A word used in the English language since 1715, it is defined as "tireless." When I went to find verses with an example of having a passion to win, the word zeal or zealous is what I found in reference to overcoming or winning.

Applying the Truth as an Individual
After reading the passage, does God show Zeal?
Who does He show zeal toward?
Can we have Zeal for the wrong things?
Do I have Zeal, tireless energy, for the things of God or for the World?

The last question should always be asked first. All of us are given the same amount of time in a day. Where we spend our time reviles the spiritual condition of the heart. Ask God to help you change in order to grow.

Applying the Truth as a Church
Do you tithe with your time and talents as well as your money?
Do you put God’s work before worldly activities? Why not?
Have you been robbing yourself of the blessings of God?

God doesn’t need us to get the job done, but rather we need God to use us to give us purpose. Stop robbing God and yourself! As Malachi 3:10a says, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and try me now in this, says the Lord, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”