Desperation Leadership Academy

God is Passionate

1 Corinthians 9: 24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Jesus Christ has called His followers to follow Him wholeheartedly. This is seen over and over in the Scriptures. When Jesus called His disciples the Bible declares in Luke 5:11, “…they left everything and followed Him.” Jesus calls us to be willing to give up everything for Him. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” This explains that Jesus wants us to love Him with everything we are, with all of our being.

These are just a couple of examples of Jesus showing us what He desires of us. The Scripture above out of 1 Corinthians 9 is one of the clearest instructions on God’s desire for us to live wholeheartedly. Paul very simply explains that in a foot race all the runners run as hard as they can in an effort to win the prize. Just like a runner runs in a race for the sole purpose of winning that race, Paul exhorts us to run the race of God as hard and as well as we can! The Lord instructs us to live wholeheartedly, in pursuit of Him and to live disciplined, focused lives, in order that we may receive the reward of eternal life. I am not saying that this is in reference to salvation as if we must work and labor in order to be saved. Salvation is a free gift from God but the fruit of salvation is a life of righteousness. I believe that if we do not strive and run hard with great effort in our walk with God we are in grave danger of losing our passion for our first love. We live in a fallen world and it takes purposeful effort to live a life for Christ. I think God encourages us in the Scripture, don’t take a lackadaisical approach to your life in God. Instead, live passionately! Live with purpose! Live in a very real personal pursuit of God!

Paul goes on to explain in his letter to the Corinthians that those that run in a foot race run for a wreath (trophy). If these people go into strict training and run hard to win a perishable trophy, how much more should the people of God apply themselves in effectively pursuing God and advancing the kingdom? How much more should we as followers of Christ educate ourselves in the Word and strive to live by God’s commands? Too often do believers (especially American Christians) take an apathetic approach to their walk with God. It’s time that a generation rise up, a generation that truly is desperate for God. It’s time for us to run hard, seek His face, and live passionately in pursuit of a passionate God!


Tyrel Koenes
DLA Pastor
WWW.DESPERATIONLEADERSHIP.COM