The Passion I

1 John 1:¹ (ERV) “We want to tell you about the Word that gives life—the one who existed before the world began. This is the one we have heard and have seen with our own eyes. We saw what he did, and our hands touched him. ² Yes, the one who is life was shown to us…”

The sheep is always limited. While God wants you to use your brain, the Holy Spirit wants to take you beyond limits. While God wants you to use your brain, God also wants you to experience the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to take you beyond what your brain can ever think or imagine, and that is freedom. What I have discovered with my walk with God, is this truth, there is actually no legitimate conflict between intellectual faith and passionate faith. But people always just want to stay in what they are naturally inclined to and build a doctrine around it which is usually a problem. But if you look at God, if you look at the Word of God, if you have any tangible walk with God you will agree there is actually no conflict between the intellectual faith and passionate faith.

In fact, a truly intellectual faith will set your soul on fire. I remember a time that I embarked on an intellectual research on the man called Jesus. Should I follow Him? I know that to some people this is not typical pastor-like behavior, but truth be told, there is a part of my brain that is still very active. There was a time in my life where I needed to know if should follow Jesus just because He says so. Growing up, my dad taught me to query texts and thoughts, and have my own thought. I do not follow people just because I have been told to follow. I want to know where you are going. My query was, this man called Jesus, where is He really going and why should I follow Him? So, I began to do my research. It was a purely intellectual journey.

From historical findings, I discovered that Jesus actually lived on earth, and He was not just some imaginary friend. There were a lot of historical facts, not Biblical facts that showed me that Jesus actually walked on earth. Why should I follow Him? He said a lot of impressive things because if you are not crazy, you would not say the sort of things that Jesus said. So, Jesus could actually be a mad man which means I should not follow Him. Or He could be the Son of God that He says He is, which means I should follow Him. What is it about Jesus that makes it compelling to follow Him? I think it is the strongest part of the Christian faith and that is the resurrection. If Jesus could predict His own death and resurrection, and actually pull off rising on the third day, I will follow Him. 1 John 1:² (ERV) “…We saw him, and so we can tell others about him. We now tell you about him. He is the eternal life that was with God the Father and was shown to us. ³ We are telling you about what we have seen and heard because we want you to have fellowship with us…” .

Prayer [song]: Jesus, we enthrone You. We proclaim You are King. Standing here, in the midst of us. We lift You up with our praise. And as we worship build Your throne… Amen!