|
Enthusiasm
for Christ
Brian K. Giselbach
A
Chinese convert once said: "We want men with red-hot hearts to tell
us of the love of Christ." This man was talking about enthusiasm.
If anything separates the active Christian from the indifferent
Christian, it must be enthusiasm. Charles Schwab has said: "A man
can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm."
What is true of business, in this regard, is also true of the church?
Enthusiasm for Christ is the great need of our time.
Webster says that "enthusiasm" is
an "eager and intense interest; an ardent zeal or fervor." By definition
one can obviously see the great value of enthusiasm in the service
of Christ. In Isaiah 2:3, we see that enthusiasm was prophesied
to be one of the characteristics of those in the church: "And many
people shall go and say: Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain
of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach
us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths..." The prophet said
the day was coming when God's kingdom would be established. He said
that people all over the world would be filled with enthusiasm to
learn about the Lord and to walk in his ways. Today, that glorious
kingdom has been established. But what about the enthusiasm? Can
it be said that we are enthusiastic for Christ?
In order for enthusiasm to be of
value it must have the proper motivation and guidance. Motivation
is important. Something has to stir us to have the eager and intense
interest in serving Christ. Once upon a time, there was a frog who
fell into a very deep pothole on a very busy street. His friends
tried to pull him out, but each time they tried they failed. Finally,
the situation was hopeless. His friends gave up and left him to
his fate. But the next day they saw the frog jumping around just
fine. His friends begged him to tell them how he managed to escape
the pothole. The frog responded, "Well, there I was. I couldn't
jump out; but then a truck came along and I had to." Now that is
what you call motivation. In much the same way, Jesus demands great
things of his people. He does not want us to be motivated out of
a sense of fear or duty, but out of love and gratitude directed
toward him. What motivates you to serve Christ?
And then, enthusiasm needs proper
guidance. It is possible for our enthusiasm to be excessive and
unreasonable. Paul, in speaking of the Jews, said: "I bear them
record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge"
(Romans 10:2). The zeal of some Jews was actually working against
the Lord. They had enthusiasm, but it was not properly guided. Someone
has well said that "religious zeal without knowledge is like speed
to a man in the dark." Enthusiasm without proper guidance can be
a very dangerous thing.
Faith provides the motivation and
the guidance for the right kind of enthusiasm. Our enthusiasm for
Christ must be grounded and settled in the knowledge of God's Word.
Saul of Tarsus is an excellent example of the wrong kind of enthusiasm
turning into the right kind of enthusiasm through faith in Christ
(Gal. 1:13,14).
We need this wonderful spirit of
enthusiasm in the church. Not a bubbling, showy, emotional enthusiasm.
That kind cannot last. But there is such a thing as a sustained
and rational enthusiasm. This kind lives in truth. We need this
enthusiasm in all areas: in our worship, in our family situations,
in our daily relationships, in our evangelistic work, and in our
benevolence!
Realize that enthusiasm is a choice!
Isn't Christ worthy of your zeal and interest? He is indeed! MAKE
THAT CHOICE! Decide to be enthusiastic in the service of Christ!
❧
|
Pantry Item
