Would Anyone Accuse You of Being Too Zealous for Jesus?
Good Morning Friends,
Perhaps you have heard someone say we are to have moderation in all things? If you have I want you to know that approach is not supported by Biblical teachings. Solomon who was given such wisdom did everything to extremes. The problem was that his passion needed to be redirected. I was looking over some the previous devotionals, somewhere around 2000 of them, and I could not find even one with the word moderation. When talking about moderation we must also remember the word and actions it implies does not apply to all things. All those Olympians who won gold medals would never have been blessed if they lived lives of moderation in all things. And there are some things you just can’t ever do and remain in the will of God save God’s grace. Sure there is a time for just about everything under the sun, but sin is never in season even in moderation. Sure moderation exercises restraint, and is related to self-control. So it has its place. But let’s not forget that Solomon experimented with the excesses of the world. He denied himself nothing. He just had the wrong focus for all that effort and in the end of his life figured out how he went wrong. So, listen up, when it comes to God, you are all in or it just does not measure up. Would Anyone Accuse You of Being Too Zealous for Jesus?
Scripture: It is zeal for your house that has consumed me; the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
Psalm 69:9 (NRSV)
Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NRSV)
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Romans 12:9-11 (NRSV)
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27 (NRSV)
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:16 (NRSV)
Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Matthew 10:1-4 (NIV)
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
John 14:12-14 (NRSV)
Message: Sure chocolate is good, but too much is unhealthy. Sleep is necessary, but the Bible says too much sleep leads to poverty. Even too much water can kill you. But moderation when it comes to Jesus does not apply. Once on Easter and once on Christmas is not enough. Even once a week is insufficient. We need to be zealous for God. This zeal and passion for God’s purpose, in the face of challenge, is the Father’s desire for His Son and for us too. We need passion and spiritual zeal that energizes our service. And when we do that, when we are totally involved in what God is doing, scripture says we will see the miracles of God at work in and through our lives. All modern day miracles might well come out of this relationship with Jesus and our abandoned obedience to the purpose of God. And if anyone ever accuses you of being zealous… Thank them even though it is they who should be thanking you. And no, this zeal is not the same as the Jewish sect of Zealots…the ones who died at Masada and the one Simon (not Peter) the disciple was a member. Sometimes we might find ourselves wondering why Jesus picked such a potentially violent person as His disciple. Certainly such a person would put extra scrutiny on Jesus from the Romans. When we look at Simon the Zealot we see that Jesus did not choose him and does not choose us according to what we can give. He chooses us because of His incredible grace that would redirect our zeal for a heavenly purpose. Because like Simon the Zealot … like Solomon…our lives can be zealous for the wrong things. So if we are disciples of Jesus, we need to pray about what we are going to be zealous.
Pray we exhibit the joy we have found in Christ to others. Pray we not shun or ostracize people just because they are not as enthusiastic as we think Christ might want them to be, but in the alternative do something to help people be engaged whole-heartedly. Pray we never force people to conform using subtle threats of social alienation or coercion. Pray we are never apathetic about our faith. Pray that we are moved to love sincerely, honor graciously and serve zealously…always abiding in Christ Jesus. Pray that we realize that sometimes there will be a tension between zeal and the world’s wisdom. Pray therefor we appreciate nonconformists as part of God’s plan. Pray that we show forth zeal and courage for the Redeemer’s cause, allowing His spirit to work in us. Pray we learn to lean on Jesus. Pray we are never lukewarm when it comes to our love of a life in Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 