ZEAL IN GOD’S SERVICE 2
“Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness, which is in the law, blameless. 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, -Philippians 3:6-8
Comment: The above text was a statement of St. Paul. A person may have the zeal to serve God but lack the knowledge and righteousness of God. This can make his zeal to be of no worth in the sight of God and may even bring chastisement from God. Using himself as example, St. Paul stated: “For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. (Galatians 1:13-14)
In the days of St. Paul some of the Believers showed zeal in the acquisition of spiritual gifts of speaking in tongues but like barbarians. So, he exhorted them saying, “Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. -1 Corinthians 14:11,12.
Our zeal in the service of God therefore, should be guided by the knowledge and wisdom of God with understanding in line with the example of Jesus Christ. He showed zeal during his first advent on earth doing good wherever he went. (Acts 10:38,39). At a time he used whip to disperse traders in the temple, rebuking them, “….Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.” (John 2:13-16). This was a fulfillment of the prophecy the Psalmist made about him in Psalm 69:9 as it is written “the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.” (John 2:17). Then commenting on the zeal of Christ, St. Paul wrote to Timothy, thus: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. – Titus 2:14
The call therefore is for all true disciples of Christ to be zealous of good works in accordance with the knowledge of the truth and righteousness of God. Jesus Christ told St. John: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. – Revelation 3:19
Prayer: May the Most – High God Jehovah our Father help us His Children to be zealous of good works in His worship always by His grace and power. Amen.