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 deed. 1 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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