DECEMBER 17, 2024
“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 word “zeal” in our text is defined as “a burning emotion,” or “an inner feeling boiling over.” It is to be fervent, or hot, in spirit. Godly zeal is a burning flame for the Lord and the things of the Lord. It is a fervent, or hot, desire for the Lord and all that belongs to Him. We see in our text that it is the work of Christ to raise up for Himself a people who are zealous for good works. Zeal is fitting for the saints of God and the saints desire zeal for God! The desire of the saints is that all of God’s dear children would be zealous for the Lord! Therefore, none get offended when one’s zeal for Christ is expressed in a godly fashion. Rather, they rejoice because God’s work is being done in the soul. The work of God in the soul, as it pertains to zeal, is for God’s glory, the welfare of His saint, and the good of those in his life! Zeal for God, and for the things of God, is Christ’s work in the soul and is a great gift to all. The expression of joy and zeal for God is never to be frowned upon by any, but something we must always be in pursuit of and rejoice when it is present.
The sad thing is that it is often frowned upon by many. Let us consider just two reasons why:
1. Zeal is frowned upon by those who care not to have it but feel condemned by it in the lives of others. Here we see that those who feel condemned by godly zeal do not properly understand the goodness of this gift. Zeal should never condemn those who do not have it, but rather should stir them up to obtain it themselves. Zeal is a flame that is not to be kept to oneself but passed on to others. A cold hand never feels condemned by a hot flame but draws near so that it may partake of its heat.
2. Zeal is frowned upon by those who care more for others listening to them than they do for others listening to Christ and rejoicing in Him. This reveals a misunderstanding of the One who produces zeal and His reason for it. Christ is the One who produces zeal in the soul of men, and He does so for the glory of our God. Zeal is a gift from Christ and is always intended to be shared with others for the glory of God alone. A man who is lost in darkness does not envy the man who comes along with a torch but seeks to have his own torch lit by the flame that the man carries.
Zeal in God’s people is to be found in all ages of God’s saints. It is to be found in the young and it is to be found in the mature. When zeal is found in the little ones, those who are mature must first rejoice in their zeal. As time presses forward, they must seek to shape that zeal by the word of God. This is a work that is to be done with joy, patience, and grace. This work begins with teaching the little ones by way of example. The little ones ought to have seen godly zeal in the life of the mature; and they must see it in their daily lives. Showing the little ones by way of the godly life lived. Following, the little ones must be instructed with the Word of God with instruction that fits the need, building precept upon precept. It is not enough to know one must be fashioned into a mature saint, but one must seek to fashion the little ones by divine wisdom. This is accomplished by sound instruction that fits the current needs of the little ones.
If one is not careful, caring for the souls of the little ones, they may find themselves putting cold water on the zeal of God’s saints. Instead of working with the Lord to produce glorious fruits, one may find themselves kicking against God’s pricks. Let us rejoice when zeal is present in God’s saints and seek to shape it aright, when necessary, by the word of God, with great joy and grace! Christ produces zeal in the life of His people. This is done for the glory of God and the good of His people. Rejoice in this precious gift and be sure to always possess it in your soul!
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