“To be apathetic is literally to be without passion.”
Erwin Raphael McManus
I was once told that I am too passionate and intense as a leader! Rather than being offended by this feedback, that was meant as a criticism, I embraced it as a badge of honour - not for my glory, but for the glory of the Holy Spirit who has ignited an unquenchable passion within my spirit.
According to McManus the antithesis of passion is apathy, which can be described as a state of indifference that suppresses concern, excitement, motivation and passion. I couldn't imagine anything more contrary to the nature of the Spirit who came upon the disciples at Pentecost with such power that the people observing this spiritual encounter thought the disciples were drunk!
I believe one of the greatest threats to Christian faith is apathy or indifference which robs the Church of the very life that is given by the Spirit. Without the Spirit of life we are subject to the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). In contrast, life according to the Spirit is a passionate response to the love of Jesus Christ who sets us free from an apathetic existence. A Spirit-filled life cannot be constrained nor should it be criticised as being too passionate, for a life without passion will not change the world!
Amen, brother. I was recently reminded of this in relation to the gay marriage debate, where people were claiming that I was "intolerant" because I "didn't have compassion for people who can't help how they feel". Of course this isn't true. It's because I love them that I don't ignore their sin or say it doesn't matter. If I did, that would be apathy. Therefore, people aren't really asking me to be tolerant, they are asking me to be apathetic and unloving.
ReplyDelete