"The Spirit should identify God's people in such a way that their values and worldview are radically different from the wisdom of this age. They do know what God is about in Christ; they do live out the life of the future in the present age that is passing away; they are marked by the cross forever. As such they are the people of the Spirit, who stand in bold contrast to those who are merely human and do not understand the scandal of the cross. Being spiritual does not lead to elitism; it leads to a deeper understanding of God's profound mystery -- redemption through a crucified Messiah."
- Gordon Fee

This is one of my favorite quotes of all time and is one of those quotes that simply resonates deep within me each time I read it.

As I reflect on this quote I can't help but be brought back to someone who impacted my life by standing in bold contrast to the world through the Holy Spirit. My mom embodied this understanding of living for Christ through the the Spirit. Today would have been her birthday and ultimately it is now a day of reflection. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God for the mother He gave me and the profound impact she made on my life. It was her embrace of and obedience to the Spirit which allowed her to live a life of faith, hope, and most importantly love.

It is so crucial that we allow the Spirit to take hold of our lives in every way. Only then will we be able to begin to understand what God's purpose is for our lives and only through being filled with the Spirit will we be able to pour out His love to the world. Through the Spirit we are identified as radically different from the wisdom of this age. Allowing the the Spirit to grab our entire being and transform us is the only way we are able to be Passionate Christians and thus world changers for Christ.

Live to the hilt

Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God — Jim Elliot

Last night at PURE @Shane talked about Jim Elliot as he wrapped up the Profile PC series. Interestingly Jim Elliot was brought up again tonight at my school by Pastor Jack Hayford. Both @Shane and Pastor Jack used the life of Jim Elliot as an example of what true passion looks like and how it is birthed out of the Spirit and is not a fleeting feeling or emotion.

As Pastor Jack ended his talk tonight he shared a quote from Jim Elliot which he states "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." I thought that it was a fitting exhortation of being a PC (Passionate Christian). I was moved by the image of the hilt of a sword and that we need to live out God's will in our lives to the maximum extent. We need to run with reckless abandon down the path the Lord has set before us. Only through the Holy Spirit can we truly experience true passion and allow Him to transform us into PC's.

Bring on FHL!