ZEAL
Strong’s gives for “zeal” = “excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit.” Christ had zeal (John 2:17), and we as Christians should also: “But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing…” (Galatians 4:18). Fanatics are guided by emotion, but we should be guided by the teachings of Christ. A good question to ask ourselves before doing something is: “What would Jesus do?” “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1–3).
Christ has told us He does not want lukewarm Christianity. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16). We think, “Well, at least that person is halfway there.” But God wants us to shine for Him, not hide our light and not be halfhearted. To be lukewarm gives a false impression of what He wants us to be. It is also a bad position to be in. If one tries to get into a small boat from a dock, he must completely leave the dock. The worst place for him, and those in the boat, is to have one foot on the dock and one foot in the boat. He could easily fall in the water or even turn the boat over. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19). Get in the boat.
“Ye are the light of the world.” The verse goes on to say, “A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).
Strong’s gives for “zeal” = “excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit.” Christ had zeal (John 2:17), and we as Christians should also: “But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing…” (Galatians 4:18). Fanatics are guided by emotion, but we should be guided by the teachings of Christ. A good question to ask ourselves before doing something is: “What would Jesus do?” “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1–3).
Christ has told us He does not want lukewarm Christianity. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16). We think, “Well, at least that person is halfway there.” But God wants us to shine for Him, not hide our light and not be halfhearted. To be lukewarm gives a false impression of what He wants us to be. It is also a bad position to be in. If one tries to get into a small boat from a dock, he must completely leave the dock. The worst place for him, and those in the boat, is to have one foot on the dock and one foot in the boat. He could easily fall in the water or even turn the boat over. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:19). Get in the boat.
“Ye are the light of the world.” The verse goes on to say, “A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).
