Articles
Four Areas Worth Being Passionate About
Four Areas Worth Being Passionate About
There are some small issues in our world. There are some big ones. There are some issues that are relatively small that we've made into big issues. In an attempt to keep the main things as the main things, here are 4 topics that are worth being passionate about as Christians:
1. Lost Souls. In the approximately 5 minutes it takes to read this article, 533 people will have died and gone to face judgment. Just today, an estimated 153,424 people will seal their eternal resting place. The heartbreaking reality is the majority of these people will be lost and unprepared for judgment (Matthew 7:13-14). As Christians, we are the ones who have the eternally saving message (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21). We are the ones who have been tasked with telling others (Matthew 28:18-20). In a single week, many Christians will put more energy into arguing on social media over some topic than they ever have towards saving a soul. If anyone should understand the dire situation our world is in, it is Christians! We are the ones who should want to save lost souls. Souls are worth being passionate about! Are we?
2. Saving Children. In the 5 minutes spent on this article, 434 unborn children worldwide will be murdered by abortion. Today alone, there will be an estimated 125,000 abortions worldwide. Since we began keeping records in 1980, there have been around 1.46 billion, yes billion, abortions worldwide, and almost 60 million have come from the U.S. God considers even the unborn children as people (Psalm 139:13-16; Job 31:15). God has had specific plans for the unborn children (Jeremiah 1:5). In fact, in the Old Testament, if the child was killed in the womb, it was counted as taking a life (Exodus 21:22-25). There are very few things more tragic than watching our world as it slaughters our young. Yet we seem to be more passionate to stand for or against some opinionated topic. And as every minute continues to tick by, another 86 children lose their lives to abortion. Children are worth being passionate about! Are we?
3. Defending God's Plan for Marriage. In the last few years, our world has all but destroyed God's clearly defined plan for marriage (Matthew 19:4-6; Genesis 2:18-24). In fact, there are no other commands for a marriage relationship other than between a man and woman (Ephesians 5:22-33). Even worse, our culture has convinced many to rally behind and support this sin (just like those in Romans 1:26-32, especially vs. 32). All the while, God's word stands clear and resolute that homosexuality is wrong (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:8-11). As Christians, we have an enormous responsibility. The truth must be told(Ephesians 4:15). However, the truth must be told in a way that demonstrates overflowing love. This is a delicate, yet vital, balance. God's plan for marriage is worth being passionate about! Are we?
4. Showing A Unifying Love. Brethren are allowing popular issues to divide them. The church is allowing cultural matters to separate them. Individuals are allowing hot-button topics to cloud their good judgment. It's one thing to have a private opinion on a matter. It's another thing to publicly proclaim it and then fight, argue, bicker, slander, and divide over this opinion. Sometimes it's better to just follow Romans 14 and keep our opinions in a place where it won't cause problems and divisions in the church. Or worse yet, for these opinions to be seen by non-Christians who then develop a sour taste for Christians. Our time can be so much better spent showing the world that we love each other (John 13:35). Our energy will go so much further if it's used in service (Philippians 2:3-8). Our efforts will be much more effective if used for encouragement and building up (Hebrews 3:13). Loving and unifying the church is worth being passionate about! Are we?
If we are not careful, we can end up falling into some of the same traps as those in Timothy's day who "turned aside to fruitless discussions" (1 Timothy 1:5-7). Our time is restricted. Our energy is depleting. Our words are limited. Let us invest these into areas that are worthy of our passion. --Copied
