IMPACTFUL AND PASSIONATE LOVE

“To know the LOVE of CHRIST which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” – Ephesians 3:19

“Crazy Love” by Francis Chan, inspires us to embrace Christ’s relentless, IMPACTFUL and PASSIONATE LOVE: “To know the LOVE of CHRIST which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph.3:19). This book deals with the idea of transiting from the average Christian's love of God to embracing His overwhelming, all-powerful love, and responding with a life of passion and devotion. It calls for a passionate, all-consuming love for God to drive believers to action.

“Crazy Love” is not a passive emotion but a force that compels radical obedience, selfless service, and a focus on eternity. The first section reviews God’s Character from the Bible. The second section challenges Christians to examine themselves, through the notion of "luke-warm Christianity." Chan states, “A lukewarm Christian is an oxymoron; there’s no such thing. To put it plainly, churchgoers who are lukewarm are not Christians.” The third section stirs Believers to live counter-culturally. Is our faith truly fiery and our love for God "crazy" enough to positively impact the world around us? Let’s ponder on these:

Radical Obedience: Speaks of obeying God's commands, even when they seem costly or inconvenient, aligning with His teachings in the Gospels, such as the parable of the rich young ruler who struggled to give up his possessions to follow Jesus.

Selfless Service: True love for God manifests in love for others, particularly the marginalized and those in need. This mirrors the biblical emphasis on caring for the poor, vulnerable, and oppressed (Psa.72:12; Pro.19:17; Mt.25:35-40; Lk.10:25-37).

Focus on Eternity: Passionate Love encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly possessions and accomplishments are fleeting; hence, the emphasis on storing up treasures in heaven (Mt.6:19-21; Col.3:2).

Authenticity and Humility: Being honest about struggles and imperfections, rather than trying to present a facade of piety.

God's Unfailing Love: We cannot fully grasp the depth and implications of His passionate, unwavering love for humanity to which ours resonates! God’s love is steadfast, merciful, and vast as the heavens (Psa.36: 5-7). Nothing can separate Believers from this love (Jh.3:16; Rom.8:38-39; 1 Jh.4:16). Our fiercely loving and intensely holy God challenges Believers to respond with an equally passionate and uncompromising love. Here are a few passion-laden quotes from “Crazy Love”:

“‎Nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made…”

“The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.”

“We never grow closer to God when we just live life. It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness.”

“The world needs Christians who don't tolerate the complacency of their own lives.”

“Are we in love with God or just His stuff?”