The movie "Passion of the Christ" is stirring many emotional, intellectual and even faith-building reactions and responses. Galina and I joined our son Bill in Gainesville for our first viewing of this powerful visual and audio presentation of the final hours that Jesus the Christ was upon this earth. No amount of talk about so much violence deterred us since we are already familiar with the Gospel story.
The movie opened in a powerful manner by simply showing a Messianic prophecy: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." That is when I personally began to fight back the tears and sobs growing in my throat as I considered the truth that it was because of my sins that Christ died upon the cross outside Jerusalem.
A great amount of passion is usually required in order to accomplish anything truly worthwhile in this life. However, most of us go dispassionately through the daily chores of life interested only in the things of security common to us all. We want to make certain there is food in the pantry and enough money to eat out occasionally. We want to be sure we have a roof over our heads, and our hope is that it will be as good as our neighbors. We want clothes in the closet that look nice, and enough that we do not have to wear the same clothes everyday.
I know some dear people who survived the Nazi occupation of the Soviet Union, and when the war was over, they passionately devoted themselves to rebuilding their homes, schools, and infrastructure. Many blindly followed the lies of the new dictators of the Communist Party and made tremendous daily sacrifices for some promised utopia. After all the sacrifices of these workers, the utopia that the Party delivered is still no running water in the homes of many people, no sewage, no telephone after decades of promises, no bus service to many neighborhoods, no road maintenance in neighborhoods, and now a paltry pension that reduces people to the status of beggars.
Maybe you are passionate about setting a new world record in sports, or maybe earning a spot on some college or professional sports team. Perhaps your passion is having the biggest house and the most expensive automobile in town. Is it your passion to have the most successful business in your specialty, and to have the largest bank account in town? Maybe your passion is to help see that your kids have a better education and lifestyle than you enjoyed.
While there is certainly nothing inherently evil in these pursuits, at the end of the day, no matter how much passion we have invested in these objectives, we will still not be at peace. The Bible teaches repeatedly that God's people are to be industrious and honest in all our dealings. To have that peace that passes understanding, we must live as obedient children of God.
Jesus taught and showed by example this truth: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) The world we live in is lost in the darkness of sin. Jesus came to bring the light of hope and eternal security to all people in the world. The means of getting the message to the people of the world is in the hands of believers.
The work of publishing the Good News of salvation to people lost in rebellious sin, requires a great amount of passionate service. Listen to the words of the missionary preacher Paul: "So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the Gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:8-10 NIV)
Put your unbridled passion to use in service to our Lord and you will find peace and contentment. That does not necessarily translate to problem free living, but to inner strength through a life of faith in Christ with knowledge that Heaven will be home. Millions of people have not heard the Gospel. Will you direct your passion toward helping spread the Gospel? You are invited to attend the services of the Church of Christ at the corner of 3rd and E Streets. Write me with any questions or comments David Binkley, Sr., P.O. Box 186, Cedar Key, FL 32625 or E-mail at dgbinkley@aol.com. You may also request to receive the daily WORD OF THE DAY by e-mail. Check out our web site at www.cedarkeychurchofchrist.com. | 