Burning Heart
- Liana V.
- Jan 12, 2024
- 3 min read
Burning Heart
I CORINTHIANS 9
”For you see, even though I proclaim the good news, I can’t take the credit for my labors, for I am compelled to fulfill my duty by completing this work. It would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!“
1 Corinthians 9:16 TPT
Paul’s heart burns to preach the gospel. His heart doesn’t just burn for the action to preach. His heart burns for the power that is released on those who are listening to have a life altering encounter with the Holy One! To encounter the love of Jesus Christ, to accept Him as Lord and Savior of their lives, and to be saved!
What compels Paul? I know when we read the Bible we have some preconceived notions about the “whos” we read about. But Paul is just a man. He is no different from you and I. His flesh is the same as ours. And yet He is the writer of the greater part of the New Testament. So something feels different.
Paul has been redeemed. He tells us he is the greatest sinner of them all. He knows what sin and shame laid at his door awaiting him, but by the grace of God, he was saved and redeemed from the pit of hell. He has something to be thankful for as do we!
”I can testify that the Word is true and deserves to be received by all, for Jesus Christ came into the world to bring sinners back to life—even me, the worst sinner of all!“
1 Timothy 1:15 TPT
How often do you allow your thanksgiving for your redemption compel you to share the gospel? Listen, we’re not all built the same, I know that, you know that, and most of all God knows that. And yet He gives us all the same mission.
”And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV
”And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.“
Mark 16:15-16 NKJV
Paul has the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord burning within him. He is a friend of God. He is moved to please his Father not man. He is compelled by the love of God and not the fear of man.
I’m convinced that if I want to be like Paul, my heart needs to burn to share the gospel with lost people. My heart needs to ache to take everyone I can to heaven with me. If I want my heart to burn, it has to be fueled by the thanksgiving of a life redeemed and saved. If I burn, then I burn to please my Father. I cannot allow the feelings or opinions of man persuade me from doing the work of my Father.
Prayer: Father, let my heart burn afresh for you! Let my heart burn to please you. Burn to share the good news with those hurting, lost, and hopeless. Let my heart never forget what You saved and redeemed me from. I was lost and now am found. I was headed to hell and am now heaven bound. I’ve been given the greatest gift, been washed clean by the precious blood of Jesus and lavishly covered in His love. Thank you for choosing me for this responsibility. I receive it. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen!
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