“Christ loves us passionately, and He wants to be loved passionately.”
— Kate Booth-Clibborn
These words, spoken by Kate Booth-Clibborn, the daughter of William Booth (founder of the Salvation Army), pierce the soul. Her life matched her message. Kate brought the Gospel to France with fire in her bones, defying cultural resistance, political hostility, and religious apathy. She believed what she said: that Christ’s love was not mild or ceremonial—it was consuming. And He desired a consuming love in return.
What she expressed is a truth that pulses through Scripture and reverberates in every soul God awakens. God is not looking for cold adherence, half-hearted loyalty, or mechanical religion. He seeks a zealous people. A people who burn for Him because He first burned with love for us.
The Nature of Christ’s Passionate Love
God’s love is not theoretical. It is tangible. Deep. Unrelenting. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus didn’t wait for us to love Him. He came running into our brokenness. He stretched His arms wide at Calvary, bearing our guilt and shame, fueled by love deeper than death.
Zeal brought Jesus to earth, sustained Him through rejection, and kept Him nailed to a cross. In Isaiah 9:7, it is said that “the zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Christ’s mission was born in zeal and sealed in blood.
How should we respond to such love? Not with casual thanks or lukewarm devotion—but with burning hearts. Christ doesn’t demand perfection, but He does desire passion. He wants our love in return.
Zeal Is Biblical
Throughout the Bible, zeal is not optional. It’s expected of those who know the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
- Psalm 69:9: “Zeal for your house consumes me.”
- Romans 12:11: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
God is not honored by apathetic religion. Jesus rebuked the church at Laodicea, not because they were hostile toward Him, but because they were indifferent: “Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).
Zeal is not noise, emotion, or display. It is the intensity of affection that fuels devotion, endurance, and courage. Zeal does not flicker with circumstances; it blazes in dark places. It doesn’t fade in adversity; it rises to meet it.
Kate Booth-Clibborn: A Life of Zeal
Kate Booth-Clibborn lived this out. She was only 22 when she left the comfort of England to launch the Salvation Army in France. She faced ridicule, arrest, violence, and intense spiritual resistance. The French press dubbed her “the angel of the slums” and mocked her relentless preaching. But she would not be silenced.
Why? Because she loved Christ passionately.
She wrote:
“It is the passionate love of Christ that gives us the power to go on. Not duty, not obligation, not fear—but love that burns.”
She had caught fire with divine love—and once a soul is ignited by that flame, it cannot be contained.
Passionate Love Drives Mission
A passionate love for Jesus produces mission. When we are captivated by His love, we want others to know it. Zeal is the fuel behind evangelism, intercession, sacrificial service, and holy boldness. Those who love Jesus deeply cannot be content with others ignoring Him.
Paul wrote, “For Christ’s love compels us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The apostles were not driven by ambition or strategy, but by affection. Their zeal was not for a cause but for a King.
A passionless Christian life is a contradiction. If Christ is who He says He is—Redeemer, Savior, Lord—then He is worthy of our whole heart. And if we are truly born again, we have received not only new life, but new love: “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5).
Zeal Doesn’t Mean Chaos—It Means Intensity
Some equate zeal with emotionalism, but biblical zeal is rooted in conviction, not spectacle. It is not loudness but loyalty. Not impulse but endurance.
True zeal:
- Endures persecution without wavering.
- Prioritizes God’s kingdom above comfort.
- Seeks holiness, not just happiness.
- Lives on mission, not maintenance.
It is not an outward flash, but an inward fire. When Jesus overturned the tables in the temple (John 2:17), the disciples remembered Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for Your house consumes me.” His passion for purity and worship was not a momentary emotion—it was His nature.
Fanning the Flames
If zeal is commanded, how do we cultivate it?
- Spend time with Jesus – Love grows in proximity. Prayer, worship, and time in the Word fuel affection. The more we see of Him, the more we love Him.
- Remember the Gospel – Nothing ignites zeal like remembering the cross. We deserved judgment, but received mercy. Never get over grace.
- Fellowship with the zealous – Surround yourself with others who burn for Jesus. Zeal is contagious.
- Serve with purpose – Purpose ignites passion. When you engage your spiritual gifts for God’s glory, your heart is energized.
- Repent of apathy – If your love has grown cold, confess it. Ask God to revive your heart. He will not despise a sincere cry for renewal.
- Obey immediately – Every act of obedience fans the flame. Zeal grows when we say yes—especially when it’s hard.
Zeal Will Cost You Something
Don’t expect the world—or even lukewarm Christians—to understand a passionate love for Christ. Zeal will make you peculiar. It will cost you popularity, comfort, and ease. But it will give you something far greater: nearness to Jesus and eternal impact.
Kate Booth-Clibborn was slandered, threatened, and beaten. Yet she wrote:
“I would rather burn out in service to Christ than rust out in a life of ease.”
She understood something most modern believers miss: Christ gave all. He deserves all. Nothing less than everything is fitting for a King who gave His life.
The Lord Is Worth It
Why should we be zealous? Because Jesus is worthy. Because He is beautiful. Because He first loved us with an everlasting love.
He’s not looking for fans. He’s looking for lovers. He’s not asking for rituals. He’s asking for your heart.
As Kate declared, Christ loves us passionately. And He longs to be loved the same way.
Don’t settle for a lukewarm life. Don’t give God your leftovers. Let your soul be set ablaze. Be a person of passion—for His name, His glory, and His kingdom.
Because only those who burn for Him will shine for Him.
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