Growing In Your Zeal
As we are now nearly a month away from a fantastic time away together, it would be particularly disappointing if we moved on from what so clearly spoke to us on our retreat, that we are commanded: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Romans 12:11). In order to stoke our zeal and slay our sloth, we must keep our focus on Jesus!
Below is an excerpt article from Desiring God by Jon Bloom that will help you to keep zeal for Jesus front and centre. It is entitled, “Lord, Deliver Me from Indifference” .
“…The Bible doesn’t see what we call passion as something rooted in our temperaments. Laid-back personalities are called to lives of fervent, dedicated focus every bit as much as intense, driven personalities. Neither does it see passion as something rooted in our ethnic background. Those of Scandinavian heritage (like me), who might tend toward being emotionally reserved, are called to feel deeply and strive intensely every bit as much as those whose ancestors were “passionate Latins.”
No, the Bible sees zeal as a heart issue. When Paul says, “Do not be slothful in zeal,” we need to remember that Jesus called the slothful servant in his parable “wicked” (Matthew 25:26). Slothfulness is not a personality quirk; it’s a sin. It’s a sin because to not “be fervent in spirit” as we serve the Lord is to be at some level indifferent to what he cares most deeply about. Such indifference is evil.
In God’s mind, fervency, zeal, or passion aren’t descriptions of how emotive we are. They’re gauges that display what our heart treasures, and therefore what fuels our lives. Just like God is far more impressed by sincere prayers in secret than longwinded public prayers (Matthew 6:5–6), he is far more impressed (or not) by what truly enthralls us than by any outward emotional exhibition. For what enthralls us determines how we prioritize our lives.”
He closes with a prayer, recognising that it’s impossible for us to create this zeal. As Jeff Purswell has said, “….zeal is not an accomplishment. Zeal is a miracle.” Perhaps you can pray this prayer now:
“Whatever it takes, Lord, increase my zeal to do your will and my urgency to make the best use of my time during these evil days. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
P.S. I also commend the book ‘Overcoming Apathy’ by Uche Anizor as a great resource on this issue.
P.P.S. Please do read the book we gave out as a gift ‘Truth on Fire’ by Adam Ramsey! Perhaps ask someone to read it with you…that’s what i’ve been doing with a brother from my church, it’s been great!
