How to grow in Zeal: Remember

Last week, in our Sunday evening service, I talked about Growing in Zeal for God. We defined Zeal as a Burning Desire to please God. Individuals in the Bible who were the most zealous for the LORD had certain traits. This included courage, wisdom, energy to do the work of God, diligence and a heart of loving service. Brother Philip Shumake in his book Lifelong Zeal gathers these up into one to give a good concise definition of zeal: “Christian zeal is the courage to exercise great wisdom, great energy, and great diligence in loving service to God.”

There are several things for every Christian to remember as we think about growing in zeal for God.  The fact that we’ve been saved from our sins is something for us to remember. This will help us to be zealous for God and good works. The Eunuch in Acts 8:35-38 went away rejoicing after he obtained forgiveness of sins. The Philippian Jailer and his household rejoiced in the early morning hours after they were reconciled to God through faith in Jesus, Acts 16:27-34.

Our zeal for God is rooted in our relationship with God. It’s an amazing thought to consider the God of heaven desires to have a relationship with us. This is a demonstration of His great love, mercy, and grace towards us. As Christians, we are now in Christ where salvation is found. As one establishes a zeal for God, be sure to remember your salvation. When challenges and difficult circumstances arise, our zeal for God doesn’t have to decrease. Rather, it will remain the same and even increase as we count it all joy suffering for the cause of Christ. Remember your salvation. That’s how one can grow in their zeal for God.

Remember, growing in our zeal for God is a lifelong process. We live in a world of instant results, and yet as we think about growing in our faith and zeal for God, it will be a process. The apostle Paul wrote, “…For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus”, Philippians 1:6. We can see this in the lives of individuals like the apostle Peter. He experienced highs and lows with his walk with Christ. We will as well. We may find ourselves not as zealous as when we first began walking with Christ. It doesn’t mean we have to stay in that condition or state.

Finally, remember when it comes to our zeal for God, we don’t need something new. By that, I mean a different gospel or some new way to worship God. The apostle Peter encouraged the saints who were doing well during suffering with words that they already knew. He said, “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind” 2 Peter 1:13-15. Notice how he would stir them up. It was not with a new message or new gospel or something gimmicky, but rather the truth they had already learned. He would remind them again in 2 Peter 3:1-2 where he said, “This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.”

 It sometimes may happen that when one feels like their zeal for God is diminishing that they will seek something new or different. This may come in form of a new way of worshipping God (with instruments) or some other means, as they see others who appear to be more zealous than them worshipping in this manner. Things that are new are not always good. We have everything we need in what’s been delivered once for all, Jude 3.

Let us be zealous for God! Let us remember what He’s done for us, is doing through us, and hold on to what He’s given us in His Holy Scriptures.