Show It On The Outside

You always know when someone is serious about something –their actions and passion show it. I remember a friend of mine who was preparing for the Olympics; often, when he came to church at 10 AM, he had already run 20 miles that morning. Crazy! There was no question about what he was pursuing!

That leads me to an oxymoron that has often plagued my thoughts. Many people who “claim” God and Christianity can be so passionate about politics, sports, hobbies, business, and the like, yet be cold and indifferent when it comes to their Creator, the One they say they believe in and who gives them life and breath and holds their eternity in his hands. I have often run into people who have been going to church every Sunday for years, but when the subject of the Bible, Jesus, prayer, or worship comes up in a conversation, they seem to check out. Have you ever witnessed this phenomenon?

The Scripture has many great examples of people who had a real relationship with God. It paints a vivid picture of what a relationship with him should look like. Look at what true worshipers in heaven do.

Rev 5:13-14  Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. 

Carefully consider King David’s thoughts and his relationship with God.

Psalm 63:3-5 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips, my mouth will praise you.

When someone is in love, they’re willing to look like a fool for the one they are in love with! The Scripture above in the book of Revelation declares that the elders fall down in worship to God, and then in Psalms 63, David said, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. - I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands.” Sound passionate? IT IS! This is a wonderful picture of the person who truly knows how loved they are by God!

Passion comes from a revelation! When someone accepts God’s amazing love and the gift of grace for them as their reality, they cannot help but reciprocate that love back towards God! Apostle Paul was willing to go to extreme lengths because he understood God’s love for him and all humanity. Look at his stirring words.

Acts 21: 10-14 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Many people thought that the apostle Paul was out of his mind! Many could not understand why he was willing to be so drastic for God and his purposes. The following is Paul’s reply to those questioning thoughts.

2 Corinthians 5:13-15 If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Nobody in their right mind would be willing to die for something they didn’t believe in! Paul was not only convinced of the precious love of God; he was radically persuaded that it was the answer to the dilemmas of all humanity!

Don’t ever be afraid to show God how you feel because even in heaven, they are incredibly passionate! Real hunger and passion for God is not merely a good idea – it is the byproduct of those who have received and have been changed by God’s precious love! Don’t let half-hearted Christianity fool you! You can be sure of this; those who have been touched on the inside will...

Show It On The Outside!