Romans 12:11 reminds us of the importance of fervor and zeal in our relationship with God: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” This verse is a call to cultivate a passionate and intimate connection with the Lord.
Throughout Scripture, we witness countless individuals who experienced this profound intimacy with God. Abraham, known as “God’s friend,” Enoch, who “walked with God,” and Moses, who spoke to God “face to face as a man speaks to his friend,” are all testaments to the possibility of a deep and personal relationship with the divine.
Passion, defined as “ardent love, strong desire, abandoned emotion,” is the driving force behind this intimacy. It is the fuel that ignites creativity, pushes explorers to uncharted territories, and motivates scientists to relentless innovation. Without passion, nothing of significance is ever accomplished or sustained.
God created us with the capacity for passion and desires us to live passionately, loving Him with all our being and extending this love to others. He does not want us to offer a lukewarm, half-hearted devotion. Revelation 3:14-22 illustrates this through the story of the Laodicean church.
Initially content with its wealth and material possessions, this church became indifferent to God, losing its intimacy with Christ. Jesus reveals their true state as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked,” despite their outward appearance of prosperity. They mistook blessings for presence, failing to recognize their spiritual poverty.
Jesus challenges the Laodicean church to re-evaluate their priorities and seek true riches: righteousness and a renewed relationship with Him. Sanctification, the redirection of our heart’s desires towards God, is key to this transformation. It requires intentional reflection and the cultivation of new habits that foster intimacy with the divine.
Remember: Our affections reveal our true priorities and the things we genuinely love.
Intimacy with God is the foundation for personal transformation. While doctrines and creeds are important, the Christian life cannot be reduced to mere formulas; it is a relationship.
Sanctification requires a conscious effort to redirect our heart’s desires toward God, fostering a deeper connection with Him.
Let us strive to cultivate the same passion and fervor for God that resonated within Abraham, Enoch, Moses, Paul and countless others throughout history. May our hearts burn with a desire to know Him intimately and experience the transforming power of His presence in our lives.
