Living Free

FADED PASSION

We want to live for Christ with unfading passion!

(Galatians 4:8-20) Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

1. FAITH Gets Deluded (when passion fades)

(8-9) Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God - or rather are known by God - how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

A. My faith gets deluded when I return to my old ways.

(1 Peter 1:14) As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

(2 Peter 3:17) Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.

B. My faith gets deluded when I return to worldly philosophies.

(9) How is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

2. JOY Gets Distracted (when passion fades)

(15a) What has happened to all your joy?

A. My joy gets distracted when my walk with the Lord is not what it should be.

(15a) What has happened to all your joy? (16) Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?

B. My joy gets distracted when I don’t embrace God’s truth.

· Burdens? (Matthew 6:25-34)

· Marriage? (Ephesians 5:21-31; 1 Peter 3:1-7; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5)

· Finances? (Malachi 3:8-10; Matthew 6:19-21; Philippians 4:19)

· Career? (James 4:13-16; Ephesians 6:5-9)

· Etc.

3. ZEAL Gets Displaced (when passion fades)

(18) It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good.

My great driving zeal in life – should be for the Lord!