If it weren’t for the book, Song of Solomon, being in the Bible, many would feel guilty about being passionate. Passion is an almost uncontrollable, outburst of emotion. It is having strong feelings that provoke an expression of words and actions. Many of us were taught to control our emotions to the point where feelings are suspect as unreliable and against all reason. Yet, emotions are God-given, and they are what enhances our social life. I believe that passion describes the God kind of love. I know that any part of our soul, emotions included, can be corrupted by our sin nature, and abused by the enemy, but the remedy is to sanctify it rather than deny it. The opposite of passion is indifference. This is the lukewarm, emotionless, love that the Lord despises. One who is passionate is committed. There is no back and forth, no second thoughts, no up and down to the one who is passionate.
Cory Asbury wrote a song entitled: Reckless Love. He describes how the Lord goes after each one of us with such passion and extravagant love. Look at some of the lines of this song: “There’s no shadow You won’t light up, mountain You won’t climb up, coming after me…No wall You won’t kick down, lie You won’t tear down, Coming after me…Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine…” I’m sure Corey was inspired by the Song of Solomon, where it says: “I sought him whom my soul loves…when I found him whom my soul loves I held him, and would not let him go…” (3:1, 4) Love like this cannot live without the other. It is only satisfied when the two lovers are together. Passion is the best description for the love God has for us. As Paul writes: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) In verse 39, God’s passionate love for us says: “nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The final hours before Jesus’ crucifixion is known as the Passion of Christ. This intense time of suffering and horrible death on the cross proved to all the depth of God’s love for mankind. He held nothing back. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world that He gave is only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” God’s love is so passionate that He gave the life of His Son to bring us back to Himself. All of us are recipients of His love. God passionately loves each one of us! Do we love Him as much as He loves you? I’m not sure we can that on our own. That is why He poured out His love into our hearts. The Father’s passion for us can be experienced through our emotions when we love Him and others. God’s love is never indifferent or lukewarm. It is a red-hot-chilli pepper kind of love.
I love being around those who are God-lovers. They are so passionate about life. They are not afraid about expressing their love to others and talking about their first love, God. When I am with those who are passionate for God, their passion ignites my passion. I find that when I hang out with those who show little interest in the Lord, my fire wains. Coals that are together burn even brighter. I have no interest in living a lukewarm, indifferent, self-centered life. I want passion; passion for God and passion to see His Kingdom come. Let’s encourage one another to live intensely and passionately.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Psalms 36; 45; Luke 15:4-7; John 3:16; Romans 8:31-39; Revelations 3:15-16; 19:7