When The Passion Is Lost

2 Timothy 1:1-16

Salutation

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You

3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains,

Timothy was young, timid and was being intimidated by false teachers that were challenging him and also was going through some sickness (1 Timothy 5:23). Like him, we are in the danger of starting to die out spiritually. God wants us to be more zealous and committed with Christ the longer that we live, but sometimes something happens, it all start with a tragic event or a very difficult situation in your life. Satan will use anything to start gradually taking you away from God.

So with this picture in mind how can we detect if this is happening? Think about this:

1- Is my devotion for God high or it is kind of slowing down?

2- Do I still feel passion for the work of God?

3- Do I feel God working in my life or is He the one I go to everyday to ask for direction?

4- Do I care for the salvation of others?

If you cannot answer these questions positively, ask yourself; why not? Because God hasn't' change. Did Jesus gave you a cold shoulder? No. Did the apostle Paul slowed down? No.

What is happening and the real reason of not feeling passionate for Christ is that you begin to neglect the reading of the Word of God. If there is something that keeps our spiritual fire burning is His word, it is the wood that keeps our fire burning.

You still pray but feel that you don't believe what you are saying or that God will not answer. You start to stay away from church with plenty of excuses, church is no longer attractive, it is raining etc. The real reason is that the flame in you just started to die out. God doesn't change, He is still the same powerful, all loving God as he has always been. Your devotion was replaced by fear, despair and discontent. You started to drift away from God and you are now busy in other things of life, you stop caring about the ministry of your church. You started to compromise your basic strong believe system. You started to lose your sense of confidence, your peace, the flame, the desire, your joy, your assurance and contempt. You have change them all with fear, worry and doubt.

Sadly you ceased to pay attention to the Holy Spirit prompts to correct you. You have become like a flameless chimney, full of ashes, nobody likes them because there is no comfort in them. Ever wonder why people stopped coming to you when they are looking for comfort, advice or companionship in prayer? Your condition is a disaster.

The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy and one very important part of it was to reinstate that we must never feel ashamed of our faith (vv 7-8). To correct the situation the christian must take steps, must stay praying, reading the Bible, worshiping daily and sharing the faith. If we all shine spiritually we could impact our communities.

Analyze yourself and look to do these things:

1-Are my ambers turning into ashes? Did I lose the fire?

2- Compare your actual situation with a time when you were the most fervent, when your devotion was number one. When your love for Christ was at the maximum. When you worshiped and praised Him daily.

3- You have to repent and ask the Lord to clean you from the influence of the world that has caused you to sin against God and drift from Him.

4- Refocus your attention to what your life could be in the hands of God.

5- Refocus in the Bible. Select a short book of the Bible and read it and pray to God to speak to your heart from that book. As Dr Charles Stanley says "What the wood is for the fireplace is the Word of God for our christian life".

6- Give yourself to someone else. Know someone that you can help in their christian life.

Once you allow the spirit to guide you, and you start to serve others, you will be filled with contentment, your confidence will grow and you will start to feel that devotion and passion again. As the Apostle said to Timothy do not be ashamed of the gospel you believe in, because is power from God and he will honor everyone that honors and praise Him. He hasn't change and will never do, if we keep our eyes on Him and obey, we will never drift from the path He has traced for our life and He will provide everything we need to live satisfied.

Now I ask you; is your chimney burning?