What is Driving You?

Have you thought of zeal lately? I hadn’t either, until I was reading this morning. I found a couple of quotes sited on a web page I receive every so often. Having my interest stirred, I did a Bible search and found this about zeal.

The word translated zeal is found only 6 times in the New Testament. Thayer gives the following suggestions concerning the meaning of zeal.
1) excitement of mind, ardour, fervour of spirit
1a) zeal, ardour in embracing, pursuing, defending anything
1a1) zeal in behalf of, for a person or thing
1a2) the fierceness of indignation, punitive zeal
1b) an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy

I like a couple of those suggestions; “Excitement of mind,” “fervour of spirit,” “pursuing.”
Here are a few of those 6 verses I found for zeal that demonstrate that view.

The first one is found in the context of the first cleansing of the Temple. Jesus had found the sellers of the sacrificial animals and the money changers seated in the Temple. He made a whip, if you will, and drove them out. John 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. I think it appropriate to say He had a little fervor in His spirit that day.

Paul used the word. Upon repentance (godly sorrow) zeal for the Lord is restored. 2Cor. 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, [what] clearing of yourselves, yea, [what] indignation, yea, [what] fear, yea, [what] vehement desire, yea, [what] zeal , yea, [what] revenge! In all [things] ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Do you find you have little zeal for the work of God, or the Word of God, or for God Himself? Perhaps there is sin in your life from which you should repent.

Zeal can be used in a harmful way as well as in a godly fashion. Paul gives his “lineage” or “pedigree” in Philippians 3:6 to contrast not only his life before he was saved, but what drove him after he was saved. He wrote, Concerning zeal , persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Zeal drove him to seek out believers with punitive results. I think that verse is a good example of how zeal can become uncontrollable based upon the motivation behind it.

Paul wrote to the Romans concerning the motivation of zeal. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 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. 4 For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. To have a zeal that will lead to godliness, we need a zeal that is based upon knowing God.

Zeal is a terrific force in our lives. But zeal that is void of the knowledge of God can be so very damaging. So, what drives you? Uncontrollable zeal, or a zeal that is motivated and controlled by the principles of God’s Word.

As you have your prayer time this morning ask the Lord to give you a zeal that is motivated and controlled by His Word, so that you may have a life of spiritual service for God and to man.

Have a wonderful day serving our Wonderful Lord, by Grace Alone.