How do I get a passion for Jesus?

Answer

This question aligns perfectly with God’s greatest commandment, as stated in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which instructs us to love our God with all our being. Here is some guidance on how to achieve this from Scripture:

1) It is evident that we cannot love someone we do not know. Therefore, it is crucial to acquaint ourselves with God and His deeds for us. Prior to the command to love God in Deuteronomy 6:5, it is declared, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” This declaration signifies His uniqueness, and the more we understand His nature, the more natural it becomes to love Him completely. This also entails recognizing His actions on our behalf. Similarly, before the initial command in Exodus 20:3, God recounts His deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Likewise, in Romans 12:1-2, the directive to present our lives as living sacrifices is preceded by the term “therefore,” intended to prompt recollection of God’s abundant mercies towards us detailed in the preceding chapters.

To nurture love for God, it is essential to deepen our knowledge of Him. While God has revealed Himself through nature (Romans 1), His Word provides a more profound understanding. Regular Bible study should become a consistent practice—as integral to our routine as daily meals. It is crucial to recognize that the Bible transcends mere literature; it is genuinely God’s message of love to us, unveiling His enduring love throughout history, notably through the ministry of Jesus Christ, His Son. We should approach the Bible as a personal letter from Him, seeking His Holy Spirit to illuminate our hearts regarding the daily lessons to be gleaned. Memorizing key verses and passages is also vital, as is contemplating ways to implement what we learn «This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosper.1) Meditate on God’s Word day and night, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8).

2) Follow Jesus’ example of praying constantly and consistently. When we examine the lives of Jesus, Daniel, and others who had a passion for God, we discover that prayer was a crucial element in their relationships with God (even a quick reading of the gospels and the Book of Daniel reveals this). Like Bible study, prayer—sincere and open communication with God—is vital. Just as a man and woman cannot grow in love without communication, neglecting prayer will cause one’s love for God to grow cold. Prayer is part of the armor against our greatest enemies “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6:18). We may desire to love God, but without prayer, we will stumble in our journey “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41).

3) Walk closely with Him NOW. Daniel and his three friends chose to obey God and refused to compromise, even in the food they ate (Daniel 1). The other prisoners from Judah who gave in are never mentioned again. When the Jewish prisoners of war faced a greater challenge to their convictions, only these few stood firm for God (Daniel 3 and 6). To ensure that we will maintain our passion for God in the future, we must walk with Him now and begin obeying Him in the smallest tests! Peter learned this lesson the hard way by following God “at a distance,” instead of aligning himself more closely with Christ before facing the temptation to deny Him “Then took they him, and led…”Him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.” (Luke 22:54). God says that where a man’s treasure is, there his heart will be also. As we invest our lives in God through serving Him and being on the receiving end of persecution for Him, our treasure will increasingly lie with Him, and so will our hearts (1 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 6:21).

4) Eliminate the competition. Jesus said it is impossible to have two masters “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24). We are tempted to love the world (those things which please our eyes, make us feel good about ourselves, and gratify our fleshly desires) (1 John 2:15-17). James says that to seek to embrace the world and its friendship is enmity (hatred) toward God and spiritual adultery “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4). We need to get rid of those things in our lives (friends who would lead us the wrong way, things that take up our time and energy and keep us from serving God more fully, pursuit of popularity, pursuit of possessions, and the pursuit of physical and emotional gratifications). God promises that if we pursue Him, He will not only provide for our needs “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (https://www.bibliatodo.com)/en/bible/king-james-version/matthew-6-33″>(Matthew 6:33) but will also grant our desires (Psalm 37:4-5).

5) If you find yourself straying, return to the practices that initially deepened your love for God. It is normal to experience fluctuations in a relationship. Peter experienced a decline in his commitment «Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off. », (Luke 22:54), and David also faced challenges (2 Samuel 11), but they both recommitted themselves to pursuing God. In Revelation 2:4, John explains that it is not about “losing” love but rather “leaving” love behind. The solution is to revisit the “first works,” the actions that initially fueled one’s love for God. This includes the aforementioned practices. The initial step involves confession and accepting the forgiveness and restored relationship that follow «If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. », (1 John 1:9). Undoubtedly, God will bless those who passionately pursue Him and will bring glory to His name through their efforts.