Zeal?

What do we think of when we see this word "zeal"? The word "zealous" means, "hot jealousy", and comes from a root word meaning, "to boil". Zeal is a bittersweet idea to many. On one hand it can be hazardous, while on the other hand it can be wonderful! Zeal was awfully displayed by the Pharisees of Jesus' day, yet marvelously displayed by King Jesus Himself! What was the difference? It was this: the Pharisees of Jesus' day possessed false or altered zeal. Their zeal was contaminated with hypocrisy, doctrinal stubbornness, and lifeless performances. They were zealous for God and the Law, but ignorantly, and not according to knowledge (Rom 10:2). They zealously studied the Scriptures all day long, and yet could not see the Messiah standing right in front of them (Jn 5:39). Paul himself (as Saul - a Pharisee) was so zealous for God in fact, that he persecuted the church of the Lord Jesus (Phil 3:6). Zeal can definitely be a bad thing; it must not originate within ourselves, nor be dictated and swayed with our every carnal emotion. This is false zeal. This is what the Pharisees possessed. Their pride aroused a zealousness to condemn their fellow Jews; their hard-heartedness aroused a zealousness which ignored the pleadings of their Messiah; and their anger kindled a zealousness that crucified the Lord of glory! What horrific effects one's mere emotional zeal can create!

Jesus was the polar opposite, however! His zeal was not carnal, nor did it waver with His every human emotion. His zeal was/is composed of an authentic desire for the glory of God and the spiritual welfare of people. What a drastic difference to that of the "religious" leaders!

So what's the good news about all this? The good news is this same zeal of God has been imparted to us via the Holy Spirit! He says in Revelation 3:19 to "be zealous... and repent." He would not ask us such a thing if He had not first imparted His ability to do so. There are many examples of this "be zealous" attitude in Scripture: We see the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon progressively becoming zealous for what her Bridegroom was zealous over (Song 4:1-6). She accomplished in 8 chapters what it often takes us a lifetime to achieve. She recognized the heart of God and responded. So what is He zealous over exactly? Let's find out:

1. God's greatest zeal is in His Son, Jesus. This zeal is the wellspring from which all subsequent effects of zealousness flow: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The ZEAL of the Lord of hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:6-7). Is He our greatest zeal and passion?

2. He is zealous for our complete and sincere devotion: "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a JEALOUS God..." (Ex 34:14).

3. He is zealous for purity: "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, ZEALOUS of good works" (Tit 2:14).

4. He is zealous for a people to bear Him fruit: "And the remnant that is escaped out of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the ZEAL of the Lord of hosts shall do this" (Isa 37:31-32).

5. God is zealous to destroy His enemies: "The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up JEALOUSY like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now I will cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once" (Isa 42:13-14). We too should possess this same righteous and zealous indignation against sin, Satan and their awful effects. "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27). Our zealousness against sin and Satan should be absolute, having no inhibitions.

6. God is zealous for judgment, both of the world and of the "adversaries" in His people. Ezekiel 5:13 reads, "Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my ZEAL, when I have accomplished my fury in them." The judgments of God are remedial. He is zealous for the effects of His judgments. He doesn't enjoy the process, I'm sure, anymore than we do, similarly how a parent doesn't enjoy disciplining a child. They do it not for the act itself, but for the effect of the act. God does not judge us for judgment's sake, He judges us for the effects thereof: "…For he is like a refiner's fire and a fuller's soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord…" (Mal 3:2-4). We shouldn't only allow God's dealings in our lives, but we should be zealous for them (Song 4:6). What a different world we would live in if God's people were as zealous for His judgments as He is!

7. He is zealous for the body. Yes, God is jealous over you, but He is also jealous over your brother. Imagine that! Peter says, "And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins" (1 Pet 4:8). This "body-mentality" is included in possessing the heart and zeal of Jesus. Notice the heart of Moses when he constantly prayed for the children of Israel (Ex 32); notice the feelings of Samuel concerning the people too: "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way…" (1 Sam 12:23). You are not the only one God is zealous for. He is zealous for a corporate people: "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy" (Zech 1:14).

8. The second chapter of the Gospel of John gives us great insight into the zeal of Jesus. John 2:12-17 records Jesus' first cleansing of the temple. He appeared on the scene and drove out the money changers, and those that bought and sold in the house of God. After He did so, it says, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The ZEAL of thine house hath eaten me up" (vs. 17). Thus the reasons for His actions are explained: ZEAL. Jesus is zealous for our overall spiritual condition, for WE are now the temple of the living God (1 Cor 3:16). From this story, we can determine at least 3 things: 1- God is zealous for our sincerity. He isn't interested in us coming to His temple to sell goods (vs. 14). This is a mere form of godliness. 2- He is zealous for our purity. His response to the sin there was: "Take these things hence" (vs. 16)! In other words, "Get this stuff out of here!" Sin has no place. 3- He is zealous for our dedication. This event occurred during the Feast of Passover (vs. 13), typical of our initial salvation when the blood of the Lamb was applied to the doorposts of our hearts (Ex 12; 1 Cor 5:7). In His zealousness, God is cleansing the temple; He is zealous for a people to become all that He has desired. We too should desire and be zealous toward this "expected end" (Jer 29:11).


These same things are to be the focus, zeal and "hot jealousy" of our genuine Christian lives. As followers of "the Way", we have a responsibility to seek possession of these same passions (2 Cor 3:18), for He will never give His glory to "another". If we are not, let's re-evaluate.