Quicken my Spiritual Passion, O Lord

Quicken my Spiritual Passion, O Lord

Definition of passion - intense emotion

11 Corinthians 6:11- O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. 

The Apostle was informing the Corinthian church that as ministers of Christ, their mouths were opened unto them to enlighten them with the gospel of Jesus Christ and their hearts were enlarged with love for the church.  Note:  Because they had a passion for God they also had a passion for the church of God.

While the leader’s mouth is opened and heart is enlarged for the people of God, many times the people hurl stones at them to chew on and shrink their  enlarged hearts through their damaging words which the leaders receive in exchange for love.  The people hurl stones of false accusations for the leaders to chew on, stones of lies for the leaders to chew on, stones of disrespect for the leaders to chew on and stones of offense for the leaders to chew on.

II Corinthians 6:12 – Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

Interpretation:  

The church members were limited in their love towards the minister, they were more in tune with themselves.  They were withholding their affection and  were cold and indifferent while their leader made the many overwhelming and burdensome sacrifices and continued to feed them words of life.

II Corinthians 6:13 – Be ye also enlarged.  Paul encouraged them to have a passion for the leader of the church.  Paul encouraged them to open up their hearts.  I personally believe if the members have a passion for God that they will also have a spiritual passion for the leader of the church which will motivate them to assist with the awesome responsibility of the care of the ministry of Christ.  They will not leave all of the burden for the spiritual leader.  They will not permit the leader to carry such a heavy cross without their assistance.

II Corinthians 7:2 – Receive us, we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have degraded no man.  Paul was dealing with the church for having a lack of passion or respect.  He had reached out to them but they refused to reach back.  They restrained themselves. 

The point that the Apostle was making:

1. We have wronged no man – When you respect others, you make room for them in your heart.  Paul felt that he deserved a place in the Corinthians lives because he did not wrong them, corrupt them, or exploit them.  

People will come to you seeking your spiritual warmth and comfort but you burn them, and when that happens one should draw back from such disrespectful people.

1. When you respect others, you don’t speak words that condemn them. The Corinthians had spoken evil about Paul, he did not reciprocate, which is to become like THEM-He remained the same. 11 Cor 7:3 – I speak not this to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die, and live with you.

The Apostle Paul said that the church was in his enlarged heart and therefore through the love of God he would be an example before them by dying out to sinful living daily.  Yet, he would live with them by being available for them through the preaching and teaching of the Word of God.  What a commitment!  What a spiritual passion, and what respect for the people of God!

1. When you respect others you have confidence in them.  11 Cor 7:4 – Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you.

The Apostle Paul loved the church because he loved his God!  With all of their flaws and faults, the Corinthians were people of great potential and immense worth in Paul’s eyes.  He believed in them even when they failed.

Many times everyone will speak evil of the church members because of their weaknesses and faults, however if that spiritual leader loves you regardless, such a one will hold you up before God and will look beyond all of your faults, mistakes and being short of the Glory of God and believe that you will come through for God and for the church which he purchased with his blood.  The spiritual leader must have confidence in the members despite.  After all, the objective is to assist each member to make it with God on earth as well as IN heaven.

We must cry out, quicken or make alive my spiritual passion O Lord, because only when we have a flaming passion for God can we truly be motivated and zealous to the kingdom work.

My love is with you all.

Pastor Sharon T. Spencer