636. 2CO 9:2. NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN ZEAL
2Co_9:2. Nature and Importance of Christian Zeal
"And your zeal hath provoked very many."’972Co_9:2.
The apostle is pleading the cause of Christian liberality. He exhibits a delightful instance of this in the case of the Macedonian Church. Their liberality is described as abounding to the extent of their power’97beyond their power: their contributions were urged upon the apostles, yea, urged with much entreaty. But you say, doubtless they were rich: but if so, they could only do according to their ability. But the truth is, they were poor, in great trials, and yet they were ensamples of liberality to all the other churches. The apostle commends the liberality of the Corinthians in the verse preceding our text, and then states the influence of their zeal on others. If the maintenance of Christianity in our own souls, and its diffusion in our own churches, be greatly dependent on the spirit of zeal, how much more the dissemination of the gospel among the perishing heathen, where obstacles of an almost insuperable kind seem to impede the advancement of the kingdom of Christ!
I. Let us, then, consider the nature of Christian zeal.
The word is derived from the Greek, zelos, the root of which, zeo, signifies to boil, to be hot, etc. Therefore, when applied to the mind, it signifies fervor’97an impassioned, ardent state of mind. It is the opposite of listlessness, apathy, and coldness.
1. Christian zeal is spiritual in its origin. It is not natural for man to be religiously zealous. A man may be so in sin, as was Manasseh; a zealous Pharisee, as Saul of Tarsus. Or a man may have sectarian zeal, and be an ardent bigot; or superstitious zeal, as the devotees of idolatry. But, unless a man have the Spirit of God, he cannot have the zeal of the Christian. This flame must be enkindled by the fire of the Holy Ghost. It must descend from heaven on the altar of our souls.
2. It is intellectual in its character.
The Jews had a zeal, but it was not "according to knowledge; so, the apostle Paul was a zealous persecutor, but he did it ignorantly, etc., 1Ti_1:13. Now, Christian zeal is not like the fire and smoke which issue from the volcano; but like the burning rays of the noontide sun’97bright, clear, and glorious. A Christian has a reason for his zeal, as well as his hope. It is associated with a why and a wherefore. A principle based on sanctified reason.
3. It is modest and humble in its pretensions.
There is a zeal of show, and glare, and pretension. A zeal, which only aims at the exaltation of its possessor, like that of Jehu of old, when he said to Jehonadab, "Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord," 2Ki_10:16, etc. It is essential to this kind of zeal that it must be seen and be applauded, or it will expire. The Pharisees were clad in this. Peter, in his early profession, was characterized by it. "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended," Mat_26:33. How different afterwards’97"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee," Joh_21:16. Christian zeal is diffident and retiring, seeking to exalt Christ only.
4. It is consistent and enduring in its influence.
The Galatians were zealous, but they ran well only for a time, Gal. iii. The zeal of many is merely spasmodic’97a disease, and not health. Or, in many cases, it is like the flaming forth of the eccentric comet, attracting general attention, and then passing away. But Christian zeal is the healthy action of the heart, indicating vigor of spirit. It is like the morning light, "that shineth more and more unto the perfect day," Pro_4:18.
5. It is diligent and active in its efforts. A man may have a creed in which zeal is an item. Zealous profession’97zealous desires’97zealous principles and intentions’97zealous prayers. But let us see these carried out’97carried out "in works of faith and labors of love." Christian zeal toils and labors, etc. Zeal is embodied. It has an ear to hearken to God’s commands; feet to run in the way of usefulness; the hand to work, and the shoulder to bear burdens; and a spirit of noble activity and enterprise in the things of God.
6. It is kind and affectionate in its spirit. Christian zeal is not the fire of wrath to hate, of anger to curse, or of presumption to anathematize; but of heaven to warm and to bless. It is always in company with the chief of the graces, "charity;" and therefore "envieth not," and "thinketh no evil," 1 Cor. xiii. It does not dwell on Sinai, but in Zion. It does not love the tempest, and the thunderings and earthquake; but the calm serenity of Tabor or Olivet. It has the eagle’s eye, and soars upwards; but the nature and gentleness of the dove. It has the power of the ox, and the courage of the lion; but the nature of the lamb. It hates sin, but yearns over the sinner; it denounces vice, but tries to rescue its victim. It deplores the misery of the world, and ardently prays and labors for its removal. It ascends, and brings the live coal from the celestial altar, and with it labors to provoke others to love and good works. Consider,
II. The spheres in which it may be exercised. These are numberless, but they may be compressed in two.
1. In securing all the good within its power.
Zealous in attaining the gifts and graces of the Spirit of God. In seeking knowledge’97spiritual power’97conformity to Christ, and meetness for the Divine glory. It must be exercised in mortifying sin’97self-denial’97growth in grace, etc. All that is included in spiritual, practical, and experimental religion.
2. In communicating all possible good to others.
Exerting a beneficial influence on society. Imitating Christ, "who went about doing good." Removing ignorance, reclaiming the vicious, exhorting the careless, reproving the wicked, guiding the inquirer, and comforting the afflicted. This is its motto’97"Let us do good unto all men," etc. What a sphere is the missionary field, where untold millions are "living without God, and without hope in the world!" Where the avenues of death are eternally crowded with deathless beings, who are hurrying, in a state of ignorance and pollution, into the eternal world!
III. The principles on which it should be cultivated.
1. It is an essential characteristic of true religion.
The poet has well said,
"Religion, without zeal and love.
Is but an empty name."
Look over the record of the saints, the excellent of the earth: Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Caleb, and Joshua; Samuel, David, Elijah, Isaiah, the Baptist, Paul, the early Christians, the Corinthians, etc. It is the spiritual heat of the new life. The sustaining: principle in labors, etc.
2. It is a distinguishing trait in the most excellent order of beings.
"Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire," Heb_1:7. Seraphim are described as burning ones’97they are all ardor, intensity, etc. But I refer Christians especially to the world’s Redeemer.
"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak," Isa_59:16, Isa_59:17. He enters on his incarnate state. At twelve years of age, he exclaimed, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?" He commences his life of sorrow, etc. He sees the tempest before him’97the whole was palpable to him, yet, he exclaims, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished," Luk_12:50. He crowds a long life of labors into the limits of three years. He then treads the winepress alone’97stands in the fearful gap’97and ends his toils and sufferings and life together.
3. It is essential to the triumphs of the church.
We believe in the final overthrow of sin, and Satan’s kingdom. In the millennial glory of the church of Christ. But can it be without zeal on the part of Christians. Three things are essential: the diffusion of unmixed truth’97the maintenance of evangelical purity’97and the cultivation of intense zeal. Think of the difficulties; of the opposition; of the warring elements, etc.; and say, can we dispense with zeal? Political parties cannot’97commerce cannot’97science cannot’97the cause of freedom cannot,’97much less religion.
Application
1. Let me urge you to seek after the attainment of this Christian principle. Let me provoke you to zeal. Look at the zeal of Pagans, Mohammedans. Look at the zeal of the worldly. Look at the zeal of the Romish church. Look at the zeal of the infidel.
2. Think of the magnitude of the objects you contemplate. Your designs have to do with the everlasting interests of your own souls, etc.; of those around you; and all the unenlightened heathen’97you act for eternity.
3. Think of the limited period of your opportunities. Where are the first friends of the gospel in this island? Where the
Puritans? Where are our friends? "Your fathers, where are they?" Go to the graveyard, there lie their sleeping remains: their record is on high’97though dead they yet speak to us. Remember, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest," Ecc_9:10. Think of the zeal of those who consecrate themselves to the missionary work. What self-denial they endure, and what sacrifices they make! What enjoyments they surrender! What trials they encounter! What sufferings they sustain! A true missionary must hazard his life for Christ, and for the souls of the heathen. Then let our zeal at home sustain, and cheer, and encourage them; yea, let our "zeal provoke very many."
Autor: JABEZ BURNS