Passion and Compassion

I recently had an interesting experience talking with a young 5th grade teacher. She had just graduated from a university in Texas and secured a good teaching position. In today's economy, that's quite an accomplishment. She liked the students but was extremely frustrated. I asked her what the problem was. After very little thought, she said, "I just want to reach people for Jesus Christ." As she shared these thoughts, she started to cry a bit. I was listening intently and I got teary eyed also. I know that passion. Frankly, I was thinking, "I remember feeling that way."

It was so moving to see a person with a compassion for the lost, and a passion for sharing Christ; that deep concern you feel when you consider the destiny of someone who does not know Christ and the future that awaits them if they don't rectify their situation. I believe that deep feeling of compassion is one of the hallmarks of the Spirit-filled life.

Matt 9:36
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. (NIV)

When we become so self absorbed that we go on through the day, walking past people who may be headed toward a Christ-less eternity, and give no thought to it, then we have a real problem.

Jesus, in Luke 15 tells three related stories, the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost son. Each is designed to reveal the heart of God toward the lost.

Luke 15:7
7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV)

This is an astounding truth to consider. God in his mercy and love toward the lost gets far more excited about a repentant sinner than all the other righteous people sitting around singing Kumbaya.

But it's way more than just that.

Penn of the entertaining team of Penn and Teller recently commented on this very point in a Utube video. You may want to look at it yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JHS8adO3hM

Penn, an atheist, puts it well. He says, about a man who gave him a gift of a Bible backstage, that he appreciated the fact that he tried to tell him about the Lord. He goes on to say, unlike many atheists that might get offended by this maneuver, he thought it was right to do so. If you believe in heaven and hell, and you care about someone, I suppose you would want to tell them about it. He goes on to ask, "How much would you have to hate a person not to try to tell them."

He has a point. When we hold our faith to ourselves as a private matter, it's just plain wrong! And when we lose that passion to share Christ, then something is seriously wrong with us. We have a heart problem.

Rev 3:15-16
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
16 So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit you out of my mouth. (NIV)

If we were to ask what symptoms would you see in a "lukewarm" Christian I think we would get many answers. Certainly we would say he is neglecting his personal time of Bible reading and prayer, or that he is far from God, or skipping church, or having trouble getting along with people, etc., etc. But what about losing his compassion for the lost. I honestly think, considering the true nature of God and mission of Jesus Christ on this earth, that this might be the first to go.

When I talked to this fine young women, her passion for sharing Christ reminded me of something. I've been trying to remember the last time I wept for the lost.

You see, I'm writing this blog for me, not for you. Well, maybe you too.