Passion

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. (Rev 2:4)

The word “passion” in scripture is inundated with negativity; all the verses paint passion in bleak. Only in the Song of Songs is passion hoisted in high acclaim. Yet passion is a necessary grace. We may frown on youthful passion, still it is required in youth, else there would be no affront to stoic conservatism. Passions do inflame but could one consider the loss of our first love to a dousing of the passion, when first we knew the Lord.

Consider all that we do in response to the LORD; how much of them are dominated by passion, and not by routine schedule or duty. Perhaps our efforts are featureless, mundane and stale; because we lack, in our passion. Criticism and failure have latched on, groused and cluttered our hearts. It should not surprise us; that those actively in His service do attract much comment, the snickers or sneering and cast stones. The observed onslaught does whittle away, for quite a few, the enthuse and quell the desire to serve. It is even more obtuse, to see within the populace of the redeemed , some behaving as malcontents or conversely as prima donnas, needing to be pleaded to and dragged into His service. Imagine; that all that we present to our Lord is predicated only by duty, worse yet by routine. Within the assembly, we have so embraced sobriety that our lives and worship is characterized by somber, pensive contemplations; we are wont, not to exhibit exuberance or joy or any emotion with unbridled passion. Even tears are frowned on, if too indulgent. Like Michal, we would despise the contemptible exuberance of David, when he would have danced till he had uncovered himself before the young maidens! How dearly we prefer decorum in the name of orderliness. Consider the words of the LORD spoken to Jeremiah; would we imagine the tone to be mild or severe? Is His language lacking in passion? Why does Jeremiah weep so much? Or would we tolerate the antics and theatrics of Ezekiel? Would we not, also dispatch these prophets as extremists upsetting our sense of decency and orderliness?

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deu 6:5)

Can love be, totally without passion? With passion as a thermometer; how dearly do we love our LORD? As an ingredient in His service, how much permeates? Is it possible for love to be cerebral only? Has our love for the Lord proven habitually emotive? Where has that passion gone?

God bless.



/ckh