•11:33 AM
By: J. Raymond Pecoraro, Wooddale Church of Christ
Someone has rightly said, “Wherever you are, be all there.”
In other words, if you endeavor to become involved in something (morally & physically legal), do so with all of your heart.
Halfheartedness is whole nothingness in the Lord’s eyes. Many Christians & those proclaiming to be Christians become too passionate about bad things and very lax about things worthwhile. (Read Matt. 22:5; II Kings 10:31; II Chronicles 25:2).
Christians must be willing to risk being called “religious fanatics.” Instead of being offended, we should look at it in the same light as the great Apostle did…he considered himself an “enthusiastic fan of the Lord.” (I Corinthians 4:9,10).
People have no problem being “enthusiastic & deeply dedicated fans” of worldly people, events, and/or groups. Yet when it comes to spiritual matters, the Lord takes last place in their lives.
Look at Paul and what he gave up; he gave up a good job, an impressive position, a family, protection, and freedom!
Make no mistake about it. Paul suffered many things to become an “enthusiastic fan” of his Master. He suffered hunger, thirst, cold, slander, unlawful imprisonments, and public beatings.
You might say where Paul’s heart was, so was his mind and soul.
The world will always think you strange for giving up the bad things to serve a living and just God. They wonder why you don’t run with their crowd anymore (I Peter 4:4).
The story is told of the plowman who was asked on cross-examination if he could speak Greek. He replied that he did not know because he had never tried.
Imagine what Christians can do if only they had the enthusiasm to even try?
Think of the souls that would be brought to Christ?
Think about the changes Christians can make in the world?
All of these things take enthusiasm!
Enthusiasm improves good church leadership. Leaders with a visionary mentality (Biblical in scope), promotes excitement among the membership. It creates a great desire to bring family and friends to church services. Bible studies would be going on constantly, rather than rarely. Bible studies would be more challenging. Program involvement would promote good works within the church family and the community.
In other words, church would cease to die only to become havens for rats and insects.
When a Christian loses his or her “first Love” then the church begins unraveling at the seams and/or a hand full of faithful members work hard to keep the doors open. (Rev. 2:4). In fact, read about all of the seven churches of Asia and see their strengths and weaknesses.
It would do us all good to heed what the Lord is saying!
Enthusiasm will make an ordinary Christian extra-ordinary.
When someone complains about another Christian doing too much for the Lord it really means they aren’t doing much at all, if anything.
I speak of able bodied Christians who have the ability to perform for the Lord; those who aren’t hampered by debilitating illnesses.
Someone said, “A person can succeed at almost everything, provided he or she has unlimited enthusiasm.”
Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which gives me the strength.” (Phil. 4:13).
Do Christians really believe these words from the Holy Spirit?
If you do, then muster up your lost enthusiasm, the one you had at your conversion, and be a human dynamo for the Lord & His church!
God loves you and wants you in His service immediately.
