Tuesday, April 30, 2013

H - PERFECTING THE HEART - 8


H – PERFECTING THE HEART – 8
Have you ever felt listless?  Perhaps you just did not want to get up from the recliner.  Today exercise is prescribed for so many health problems.  It is prescribed for spiritual apathy as well.  Many times a person will indicate that they did not feel like going to church but they went anyway and felt so much better.  Maybe we don’t feel like praying or reading our Bible.  Just do it anyway.  Start.  Once you leave that comfort zone and do something it will be so much easier to continue.  It is like exercise, get the blood flowing and you revive energy.
With a Christian we will call it zeal.  Jesus had no place to lay His head.  He had crowds around Him constantly wanting Him to heal or feed.  Weary?  Yes!  And yet we sit and do nothing for the Lord except go to church for one hour when we feel like it and expect to be entertained.  Shame on us.  This would not be the way to perfect our heart.
May the Word of God motivate us as we study what the Word says about zeal.  First, what is zeal?  It is defined as earnestness, fervor, persistent endeavor, enthusiasm, tireless effort.  That may make you exhausted thinking about it.  We have examples and exhortations in the Bible concerning zeal.  A good beginning would be to look at kinds of zeal in Scripture and what is accomplishes.
A divine zeal is mentioned in Isa.9:7.  Zeal accomplishes and here the zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.  Zeal stirs the heart.  Paul recognized this as he spoke of offerings to the needy saints in Jerusalem.  2 Cor.9:2   Intense feelings of remorse caused repentance with zeal in the case of the Corinthians.  2 Cor.7:7,11   May we reflect on our repentance to see if it is intense in feelings with zeal.  Too often we are just flippantly sorry.
A state of ignorant zeal is too often found in the religious world.  Rom.10:2   A lot of business may take place but is it in accordance with the will of God.  Some do many good things and say, “Lord, Lord” and think they are saved.  Matt.7:21   It may be good but does not bring salvation.  Paul was an example for in his former life he showed great zeal in working for God.  Phil.3:6   As he gave his credentials he told how his zeal was blameless.  It was not with acceptance of Jesus at that time.  Later he did accept Christ and was baptized.  Acts 9:18
Two examples of wrath with zeal are worthy of note.  Ezek.5:13   The Israelites had not followed the Lord’s will again although His wrath was appeased.  Another example is when the Lord spoke with zeal.  Jesus showed zeal as He cleansed the temple from being a place of business.  Jhn.2:16,17   After Jesus had done this, the apostles remember this quote from the O.T.  Ps.69:9
These examples of zeal were not performed listlessly.  The heart was earnest and the performance was with fervor.  As we study zeal we need to remember that what we do and what we are is not what saves us.  Any righteousness (what we are) comes from our Lord.  2 Cor.5:21   Any works (what we do) come from our Lord as well.  Jhn.15:5   If Jesus had not died on the cross to bring us salvation, where would we be?  We could not bring it upon ourselves.  This is a gift that we cannot earn nor do we deserve it.  This is called grace. Eph.2:8   However, we receive that gift through our faith which brings obedience because we love our Savior.  1 Jhn.2:3,5   Notice that we love in Truth but also in deed1 Jhn.3:18   As those in Christ we are instruments of righteousness to be used of God.  Rom.6:13   Our hands, our feet, our tongue, our whole being was created for good works.  Eph.2:10   We are not saved by our works.  Jam.2:14,17,18   We show our faith as we strive to be like Christ who went about doing good.  Acts 10:38  
As we find ways to “go about doing good”, it is to be with zeal.  This should never be with a feeling of drudgery but with enthusiasm and tireless endeavor.  Gal.6:9    We “get to do this” for the Lord for that is for whom we work.  Col.3:23   It is to be done “heartily” which would be with zeal.
Not only are we to increase in knowledge but we are to be fruitful in every good work.  Col.1:10   It isn’t as if we did one good work and that was enough.  It is for our lifetime.  Our “doing good” defines our life in Christ.  2 Thess.3:13  
As Paul was exhorting women to be modest, he included a description of a godly woman as one with “good works”.  `1 Tim.2:10   Titus was told to exhort and rebuke with all authority that those who were of Christ’s own possession (Christians) would be zealous of good works.  Titus 2:14   As Paul closes this letter to Titus, he again emphasizes good works.  Titus 3:8,14
The author of Hebrews explains the importance of not forsaking the assembly of Christians together as some were evidently guilty of doing.  Today we find many guilty of the same.  Perhaps they want to just do the least they can do and still be “right”. 2 Tim.4:3   One of the reasons given for meeting together (not because they like the preacher, want to show off their clothes, or see their friends, or be entertained) is to provoke or stimulate love and good works.  Heb.10:24   As we come together in fellowship, worship, and prayer, we learn of good things we can do for others.  Otherwise, we might not know.
By studying Scripture we not only are trained in righteousness but we are also equipped for every good work.  2 Tim.3:16,17   If the thought comes to mind, “I can’t”, pair with someone who has experience and learn.  Our desire is important.  God works within us to will or desire.  Phil.2:13   As we do good, our light shines to the world and it gives glory to God.  Matt.5:16   Though the world may speak against us, our good works will speak up to glorify God.  1 Pet.2:12
Again, Scriptures stress that these good works will not save us but we are to be involved in doing good works after we become a Christian.  Eph.2:9; 2 Tim.1:9; Titus 3:5   May we never forget that as we do good works, it is never for our own glory.  It is to the glory of our Lord.  Col.3:17   As we work for the Lord, it is refreshing to always remember that He will never forget.  He is completely aware of what we are doing.  Heb.6:10    
                

  
 
   

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