ZEAL
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word “zeal” or “zealous”? Do you think of a fanatic? Do you think of a zealous extremist? Would you be ashamed to be thought of as a zealous Christian?
Well, before you let this subject get twisted and misunderstood, let me ask you to ponder over the following:
- In Galatians 4:18, the apostle Paul said, “But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always...”
- In Titus 2:14, this same apostle Paul said, “[Christ] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
So, zeal, properly defined and understood is not to be feared. Rather, we are to love it and admire it, because Christian zeal is actually a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in our world in every possible way. But none of us feels this desire by nature; rather, the Holy Spirit puts it in our hearts and minds when we come to know Jesus Christ. And when it really reigns in us, this desire is so strong that it impels us to make sacrifices, to go to any trouble, to suffer, to labor, and even to die, if only we can please God!
May I challenge you, therefore, if you profess to be a Christian, never to restrain zeal? Seek it, cultivate it. And beware of throwing cold water on others who are zealous. That is, beware of checking it in your children, mate, family, friends, and congregation. Yes, zeal may make mistakes, and it may need guiding and advising, but don’t clamp down on a zealous Christian, especially not in a world that is so cold and corrupt.
Devotedly your pastor,
Bill Blanchard