There are Christian believers who were once enlivened by the vivifying effects of the Gospel but have now, over time, been cooled into a stone-cold stoicism; living statues no different than the impassive victims of Narnia’s White Winter Witch. One of the causes behind this coldness is the unfortunate stigma now tied to zeal and excitement.

Dear Theophilus,

You’ve just come to place your faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. Your heart is, no doubt, enraptured with the glorious grace which God has shown you; the beauty of Christ, your Savior. Your heart is on fire for the Lord. As well it should be, brother – keep that flame burning hot.

I’m reminded of a quote from an older, wiser Christian – J.C. Ryle (read all of his books, by the way!) He made the comment that “it may be very true that wise young believers are very rare. But it is no less true that zealous old believers are very rare also.” This he wrote in light of God’s call to believers to “not be slothful in zeal, but be fervent in spirit, in serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

I remember well a specific instance when I was a brand new believer, not unlike yourself, and I over-heard a specific conversation between a friend of mine talking with an older Christian saint. My friend, a younger man who had given himself to mentoring me in the faith, was talking about a particular point of doctrine, a point rather essential to the Gospel, and he was doing so with a fair bit of excitement and energy. The older Christian simply responded with the patronizing comment, “Oh, you’ll outgrow that youthful fire of yours. As you mature you won’t get so excited over such topics.” I remember my friend afterwards commenting on the conversation, saying “may we never outgrow our excitement for Jesus Christ” and in a moment of spontaneous prayer, asking the Lord to “keep us fervent for those things you, O God, are fervent for.” Amen! Theophilus, I am praying the same for you.

I have found that one of the most pernicious dangers to the Christian life is a cold-hearted complacency. These are Christian believers who were once enlivened by the vivifying effects of the Gospel but have now, over time, been cooled into a stone-cold stoicism; living statues no different than the impassive victims of Narnia’s White Winter Witch.

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