Zeal, the missing factor?

I think since 9/11 and the whole terrorist thing it has become very uncool to zealous about anything religious. The most intolerable thing is someone who believes something passionately. Jesus was passionate. As Hebrews says:

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Something I think we are often missing is our enthusiasm for Jesus and the gospel. Paul instructs us to..

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. " Romans 12:11 (NIV)

The reality is that we often forget the goodness and grace of God and caught up in our own lives. Being zealous is about being caught up in the gospel of Jesus and living for him. It is about knowing the mercy of God in Christ and giving our very lives in his service. The Diocesan mission points us to God to ask for this sacrificial compassion/zeal. It's primary strategy is to pray "for an outpouring of God’s Spirit so that his people will be assured of his love through his word and develop a sacrificial compassion for the lost. "

Do we really believe how lost people really are? Do we consider other's interests before our own? Do we have a sacrificial compassion for the lost that will motivate us to mission? Do we have a zeal for the gospel of Jesus? My prayer is that as a church we would.

More....John Sandeman makes some good observations about the issue on the Diocesan website here.