A good friend of mine posted a status on his Facebook account:

Remember: God values deep, long-term faith more than fleeting passion. He knows that the life he has called us to is more like a marriage than a brief love affair. It takes a lot of work for two to become one! Of course there is passion and excitement, but there is also consistency and commitment. – J. Barrios

I agreed and it sparked some thoughts that I’d like to share. So I responded with a comment stating that passion and commitment are NOT the same. In my personal experience, I have met many people who tell me that they will never find the right person or find the right job. They feel that they must always be passionate about that person, job or whatever it is they are trying to attain. Then Mr. Barrios responds.

…loving with your heart is just passion – it can burn out. Loving with your head – there is no truth in that – it’s all utilitarian. With Will… I CHOOSE to love despite what my mind and heart may say.

All across America there are people, young and old alike who are uncommitted to whatever or whoever it is. They have the appearance of commitment. Yet talking the talk is so much easier than walking the walk.

Some people believe it’s the single most important factor, painting passion as the fuel that drives not only success but relationships. The reason passion gets so much credit is that it helps motivate action. And action is what generates results. But for how long? What’s the difference between commitment and passion? And what does God have to do with all this?

Everything. God has everything to do with it.

Why? Commitment is simply following Jesus. Commitment demands a choice, a will, a definite direction. He did  not waste time with the heart of commitment: Either the disciples would be committed to Him and deny their own desires. Or, they would be determined to go their own ways and deny Him. The choice to commit is the same for all believers – either deny ourselves or deny Him; either go His way or we pursue our way.

It’s true. Any talk about Christ would be meaningless without the walk with Him. I’ve always had a hard time expressing my faith through words or biblical queries but I do remember the story of how Daniel’s commitment turned a whole kingdom toward God. It was the stuff. I always believed the power of example.

To conclude, let me leave you with another story:

A house church in the former Soviet Union received a copy of the gospel of Luke. Since it was illegal to possess this Scripture they tore it up into little pieces and distributed it among the body of believers. Their plan was to memorize the portion they had been given, then on the next Lord’s Day they would meet and redistribute the sections. On Sunday these believers arrived inconspicuously in small groups throughout the day so as not to arouse the suspicion of KGB informers. By dusk they were all safely inside, windows closed and doors locked. They began by singing a hymn quietly but with deep emotion. Suddenly, the door was pushed open and in walked two soldiers with loaded automatic weapons at the ready. One shouted, “All right – everybody line up against the wall. If you wish to renounce you commitment to Jesus Christ, leave now!” Two or three quickly left, then another. After a few more seconds, two more.

“This is you last chance. Either turn against your faith in Christ,” he ordered, “or stay and suffer the consequences.”

Another left. Finally two more in embarrassed silence, their faces covered, slipped out into the night. No one else moved.

Parents with small children trembling beside them looked down reassuringly. They fully expected to be gunned down or, at best, to be imprisoned.

After a few moments of complete silence, the other soldier closed the door, looked back at those who stood against the wall and said, “Keep you hands up – but this time in praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters. We, too, are Christians. We were sent to another house church several weeks ago to a group of believers – ”

The other soldier interrupted, ” . . . but, instead we were converted! We have learned by experience, however, that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be fully trusted.”