Kneel In Zeal!

We may be zealous about many things. In Paul's letter to Titus he encouraged a zeal for good works. ( Titus 2:14) Sometimes zeal is misdirected, as it was with Paul when he was devoting his energies to the persecuting of the church ( Philippians 3:6) prior to his becoming a Christian and turning those same energies into building it up. In his letter to the church at Rome Paul referred to those who had "a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge." ( Romans 10:2 ESV) Therefore the focus of our zeal ought to be given careful consideration.

Though we may often equate zealousness with great action, there is a need for zeal that can also be associated with our kneeling before God. In part of the Lord's exhortation to the church at Laodicea we read. . .

"(19) Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so BE ZEALOUS AND REPENT." ( Revelation 3:19 ESV)

Both of these words -- "zealous" and "repent" -- are in the Greek imperative. That means they are of necessity. The Greek word translated "zealous" is in the present tense, but the word "REPENT" is in the aorist (a Greek past tense) active, which seems to imply the repenting being once for all done. It is to have turned to remain turned toward the Will of God. This zealousness and REPENTANCE was in contrast to the indifference of which the church at Laodicea was accused.

A zeal for REPENTANCE! Zealousness for turning the life around and back toward God! Is that not a focus of utmost importance regarding the zeal in life? Though some have a zeal that takes them away from God, an eager zealousness to turn our life around -- to REPENT -- when we see it is going the wrong direction is all about continuing to move toward God and His Will.

As we humbly kneel before God, let us honestly acknowledge the changes still in need of being made. Maintaining a zeal for REPENTANCE will result in allowing us to rise up and move onward in other zealous activity to His glory and praise.

Have a great day BLESSED BY THE DIFFERENCE PROPERLY PLACED ZEAL MAKES!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Zeal