by Dr. Paul Chappell

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:12-14

All that matters in Heaven is how faithful you were to God on earth.

There is a tale told of that great English actor Macready. An eminent preacher once said to him: "I wish you would explain to me something." "Well, what is it? I don't know that I can explain anything to a preacher." "What is the reason for the difference between you and me? You are appearing before crowds night after night with fiction, and the crowds come wherever you go. I am preaching the essential and unchangeable truth, and I am not getting any crowd at all." Macready's answer was this: "This is quite simple. I can tell you the difference between us. I present my fiction as though it were truth; you present your truth as though it were fiction." (G. Campbell Morgan, Preaching)

We've all become expert actors. We don't feel well, but we put on a smile and continue on our day. We're hurting inside, but we put on a brave face. We don't like someone, but we smile and act genial toward them. We're struggling financially, but we continue buying to keep an appearance. We act in some way or another nearly every day of our lives.

Christianity is full of actors as well. People who only attend church to appease the pastor, believers who face kindness and love toward others, Christians who outwardly show the signs of belief in Christ but inwardly tire of the act they put on. As Macready noted, Christians put on a show of a good life, but lack the passion behind their actions.

Hymnist Count Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf once boldly proclaimed, "I have but one passion; it is He, He only." How many Christians could honestly, before God, claim the same statement? Despite our outer actions, how many could say they are as passionate about Christ as their actions show?

Certainly if we were to point to a passionate Christian in the Bible, Paul would come to mind. Paul forsook all-his religious heritage, his social prestige-and followed Christ. He put aside his comfort, his desires, and his personal needs so that others could hear of God's salvation.

As Paul said, "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." We all have passions or drives in our lives. What's yours? Are you passionate about increasing your wealth, expanding your business, or reaching a certain personal goal?

God wants your "one passion", your life's goal to be knowing Him more. He's given you His Word, His Spirit, and His preacher to guide you along your journey of knowing Him more. He's given you the tools; you must use them.

Paul noted that he had to put things aside to fully pursue God. What things are keeping you from making knowing God your life's passion? Whatever is drawing your attention away from God, put it aside. In eternity nothing will matter except how faithful you were to God and how many people you told of Him.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Psalms 79-80 | Romans 11:1-18