Fickleness of Emotion

“He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.” (Joh 5:35 AV)

What happens to us when we are excited about what the LORD is doing even to the point of participating, then we back off and are disinterested? When John the Baptist baptized the people of Israel in a national repentance, only the self-righteous refused to participate.  Those with something to lose never came.  The Pharisees and their ilk had power and influence in the Roman controlled government.  They were the leaders of the people.  They found their solace in the verbal traditions of their fathers.  They claimed Abraham as their ticket to eternal life.  They wanted to part with John’s baptism.  But the vast majority did.  The bulk of the population wanted, and even came to, the baptism of John.  But something happened along the way.  Something transpired over the next three and-a-half years that not only dissipated the joy, but turned it against the very reason for the baptism.

Perhaps it dawned on them the true depth of meaning which the baptism of John meant.  They were not submitting to baptism as a mere religious rite.  They were not being dunked just to admit to the sins of a nation.  They were baptized as a public testimony of their own sin and the need of a Savior.  What they might have realized was the truth behind the baptism and the commitment that would follow.  Maybe they understood that if they really meant the baptism, that would require them to leave behind everything.  Including the traditions which were so important to them.  

Repentance, which what John’s baptism was all about, meant one was to leave behind and embrace something else.  It meant to leave it all!  Admitting to sin is one thing.  Admitting a need of a Savior is one thing.  But a willingness to leave it all behind is the definition of repentance.  A change of mind and heart which results in a change of direction.

How many times have we rejoiced in a great meeting wherein God really met us in a dramatic way?  How many times have we been moved at the rejoicing at the salvation of souls, the baptism of many, or the great decisions that were made; including our own?  How many times have we confessed and forsaken, sharing a powerful testimony at what the LORD did?  Only to have all those things last for a mere season!  We cannot go on emotion.  Emotion is wonderful.  But it is only temporary.  True spiritual revival is lasting.  We can rejoice for a season.  But when that season is over, we continue on!  Even if it isn’t all that exciting!