More Thoughts on America: Misplaced Passion

Americans are passionate, especially about politics, especially right now. It’s in our gloating or combative social media posts, it’s in left-wing late night talk shows, it’s in right-wing talk radio, it’s in supposedly centrist news outlets, it’s on the streets in protests against racism, it’s at rallies, it’s in a mob storming the capitol building. There is passion everywhere. Some people are saying, “Can’t we all just calm down?” I am not one of them. I think we need more passion. Let me explain.

One thing that comes through clearly from the few short letters the Apostle Paul left behind is that he was a man of passion. “Zeal” is the word that he uses. He reminded the Galatians about his “previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was…extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Galatians 1:13-14). Likewise to the Philippians he wrote, “As for zeal, persecuting the church” (Philippians 3:6). Before he recognized Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, his passion was expressed in persecution.

Then, while on the way to lock up more Christians, Paul met Christ on the road Damascus. Was his zeal diminished? Was his white-hot passion replaced by a cooler attitude? Not at all. He immediately began preaching Christ, the very one he had been persecuting. And he preached with tireless energy. Prison, beatings, stoning, and violent mobs couldn’t cool his zeal. His previous passion was not wrong, it was misplaced. It had the wrong object and took the wrong form. Writing later about his fellow Jews, Paul says, “I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Paul could have been describing himself; he was zealous for the wrong thing. A couple chapters later, Paul encourages zeal, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). What does zeal, fervor, and passion for the Lord Jesus look like? Do you see it in a destructive mob? Do you see it in angry accusations? Does it inspire insurrection? It is worth reading the passage in which the encouragement to keep up our zeal and fervor is found, Romans 12:9-19:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Humility, patience, prayer, peacefulness, willingness to suffer, and above all, love. This is what zealous passion for Christ looks like!

When Jesus was arrested, he said “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me?” (Matthew 26:55). Jesus did not come to inflict violence, he came to suffer violence. When we talk about Christ’s suffering and death, we sometimes use the Latin word for suffering, passion. Christ’s passion is his suffering. We have taken the word into English with two meanings, suffering and zeal. The passion of Jesus is seen in sacrifice. Driven by love, he died for the sins of the world.

Our passion as Christians has been misplaced. Our passion can lead us to further division, anger, and accusations. Or our passion can sink into cynicism or apathy. Or our misplaced passion can be refocused on the only worthy object, Christ himself. Passion for Christ means we will live out the humility, patience, and love commanded in Romans 12. Or in other words, passion for Christ looks like Christ.