MANAGING ZEAL (3)

TEXT: Colossians 4:12; Romans 10:1-2

When your zeal is in conformity with His will, your zeal will be fruitful on earth and eternally rewarding in the end. Paul was burning with zeal for the gospel and was winning the lands for Christ but on two (2) consecutive occasions he (and his team) was disallowed by the Spirit from preaching in some places and was led to Macedonia (Acts 16:6-7). Paul’s zeal was swallowed up by God’s will.

Paul on an occasion prayed for Israel that they be saved;

“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:1-2).

It is clear that zeal alone cannot take a man to Heaven, but zeal surrendered and overtaken by the will of God. The knowledge that was missing was the knowledge of the will of God. It became a prayer point because of its eternal significance;

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Colossians 1:9).

It is good to be zealous. Without zeal a man cannot be effective in seeking and serving God. Infact, we must daily pray for more zeal and passion in our walk and work with God. However, we must maintain the balance between our zeal and His will. In all, no matter how good zeal is, it is always better to check if it is in conformity with God’s will.

1. No matter your zeal and how good it appears, it is profitable not to move unless God says move

2. Be ready not just to seek God’s will but to do it even when it is contrary to your biggest dream and zeal

3. Guard against influences of friends and your environment which may push you zealously but out of God’s will.

4. Understand that not all good things are God’s will for your life. For example, it is good to start a Christian TV station…but is that what God would have you do? If it is of God, it is good; but not all that is good is God’s will for you.

5. Remember, in the end one thing will matter for eternity – not the works of zeal or good, but the things done in God’s will (Matthew 7:21).

In conclusion, if Jesus came to do God’s will, God did not create you to invent your own will. What it means to live for God is to live and do His will. Shalom.