Success Scripture May 12, 2009

Godly Zeal 

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:10-14

EXPLORATION

Zeal has been described with words like Enthusiasm, Eagerness, Strong Desire, Strong will, Determination, Deep Love and Strong Feeling. Man has the innate (natural) ability potential to express any of these related characteristics.

In some aspects of natural life, man could express enthusiasm, eagerness or zeal in doing something positively or negatively. To a large extent, man in a depraved state, is prone to doing evil of different kinds depending on his inclination at any point in time. The Bible says: "How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water" - Job 5:16 Also read (Psalm 14:3, Genesis 6:5)

These clearly show that man is evil by nature and always inclined to doing evil. The extent to which a person goes in doing anything mostly depends on how interested, willing and ready he is to be involved. Once the person is interested and ready to do a thing, the slightest support will fire his interest and energize his faculties in carrying out the act to his maximum ability. This stimulation is called zeal.

DEFINITION: The Greek word for Zeal is "ZELOS" which means the capacity or slate of passionate commitment to a person or cause. Therefore zeal is both a state of the mind and the act of being committed to something or a person.

INSPIRATION

Every person has the potential to be committed to a person or cause. Zeal will manifest itself immediately there is a support for the thing the person has a willingness and readiness of mind to do. "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." - Proverbs 23:7a. "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." - Matthew 12:35

Before you gave your life to Jesus, you would have had occasions when you lived and did whatever you liked with intense eagerness (enthusiasm or zeal) in order to derive sinful pleasure. (Ephesians 2:1-2) Your zeal in performing sinful acts was sometimes carried to ridiculous extents. Having given your life to Christ, this zeal, which is your capacity for performing sinful acts to maximum ability remains in you but now needs to be redirected. Therefore "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." - Romans 6:12-13

If at the time we were ignorant we were zealous in committing sin to maximum capacity simply because we desired sinful pleasure, we should now show the same zeal, if not more, in serving the Lord and doing his will.

The capability to exercise our faculties to the maximum remains latent in us even after conversion. It is only when a person exercises his faculties to the maximum in any endeavor in life that he can have a sense of fulfillment.

Having thus separated us from the world unto God; our Christian lives can only be meaningful and fulfilling by totally committing ourselves unto God's work and doing his will.

In narrating the change in his life, Paul said: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" - Philippians 3:7-9

In the case of Christ He said: "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." - John 9:4 "...My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." - John 4:34. For so it was written of Christ "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."- John2:17

From a spiritual point of view, Chambers Oxford dictionary further gives the meaning of zeal or enthusiasm as "possessed by a god," " inspiration or religious exaltation" As unbelievers, the devil possessed and used us to promote his evil desires. But as believers, we are possessed by the Spirit of God, inspired and empowered to perform extra-ordinary acts that are beyond ordinary human capabilities. They are manifested in form of spiritual gifts and fruits of the Spirit. Job confirmed that : "But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" - Job 32:8. Godly Zeal, therefore, is the passionate desire in a believer to maintain God's honor in doing His will: Also the inner urge towards the development of a Christ-like character.

Godly zeal as a result of our devotion is such that our interest is centered on people, events, books, information and associations that will enhance our spiritual life and ministry. Any form of personal devotion that does not produce godly zeal is not genuine. Because when we set ourselves apart from the world unto God, it follows that we have consciously made ourselves available for God's work."Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" - Romans 6:11 (2 Timothy 2:19-22). If indeed we have shunned the world and sin, our commitment to the work of God must be total.

There are some Christians who, have determined to abstain from sin and live a holy lives but not willing to make themselves available for God's work. Consequently, they become spiritually idle. It should be borne in mind that we do not consecrate our lives to God in order to escape eternal punishment or solve temporal material and physical problems, but in appreciation of what God has done in saving us we become willing to be used by God to save others as well. This is the inspiration that creates genuine godly zeal in the life of a believer.

This week: We should let our Godly zeal manifest in what we do and how we relate to others. When a person does not live an active physical life, living becomes uninteresting, boring and unfulfilling. So it is in the spiritual. When a Christian is not active in the things of God, his Christian life will become unexciting, boring, uninteresting and unfulfilling. This creates a situation in which the believer starts looking back into the world for satisfaction and fulfillment with the notion that his faith in Christ is not enough to sustain him. (Romans 6:13). We say to you don't look back but press ahead for that which God has prepared for you. The Bible says: "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" - 2 Timothy 2:21.

Remember: The Bible says "And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:" - Colossians 2:10. Therefore we should not be slothful in God's business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (Romans. 12:11).

We love you! 

God bless.

Bliss & Fire Network Team

Online registration is now available for exhibitors/vendors for the 2nd International Bliss & Fire Network Christian Expo 2009.

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