Speaking of “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13), the Holy Spirit says “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good works” (verse 14).
The words translated “zeal” or “zealous” in Scripture have reference to passion. More descriptively, the words have reference to heat. Being zealous involves being so passionate about something that it could be said we are “on fire” for whatever our zeal is directed toward.
This point is brought out in the Lord’s rebuke of the church at Laodicea. Notice Revelation 3:15-16: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth. In verse 19, Jesus said, “As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.” The Christians at Laodicea were apathetic in their service to God. Spiritually speaking, they were lukewarm. They were thus instructed to develop a burning zeal toward God.
The Bible teaches that such zeal must be properly directed. Zeal without knowledge causes harm rather than good (Gal. 4:17; Phil. 3:6).
Knowledge without zeal, though, will cause the Lord to be disgusted with us (Rev. 3:15-16). Thus, it is imperative to have both zeal and knowledge of how to properly direct that zeal.
This is indicated in the phrase “zealous for good works.” If our zeal is directed toward what God defines as a good work, it will please Him.
To know what God defines as a good work, we must look to the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17). More specifically, we today must look to what the New Testament authorizes as a good work (cf. Col. 2:14).
We should zealously study God’s Word (Acts 17:11), and examine ourselves by it (2 Cor. 13:5). When we see something in our lives that needs to be corrected, we should zealously correct it (cf. 2 Cor. 7:11).
We should be zealous for opportunities to edify brethren (1 Thes. 5:11). We should be zealously engaged in worship we offer to God (Eph. 5:19). We should zealously help others as we have the opportunity (Gal. 2:10). We should be fervent in prayer (Luke 18:1), among other things.
Such zeal can be helped when we recognize the value of these things and appreciate them as we should.
Moreover, such zeal can be strengthened when we understand and appreciate the blessings God offers to all and bestows on His faithful children.
No matter how much good we have done from the world’s perspective, each of us who has reached the “age of accountability” has sinned against God (Rom. 3:23), and thus would be doomed for eternal condemnation without the blood of Christ (Rom. 6:23).
Yet, because of Christ, we can be justified, reconciled to God, and saved from His wrath (Rom. 5:6-10). The love of God and His Son that made these blessings possible must not be forgotten.
Appreciating God’s grace helps serve as motivation for zealously obeying Him (cf.
1 Cor. 15:10; 1 John 4:19).
The church at Laodicea was made up of Christians who were apathetic toward God’s love and the service He commands. The seriousness of their lukewarm spirit is seen in the Lord’s words that he would vomit them out of his mouth (verse 16).
One who has not yet been “baptized into Christ” (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38) should zealously choose to do so. Yet, those who have done this must not become spiritually lukewarm like the Christians in Laodicea.
If we have been guilty of lukewarm service toward God, may we heed the Lord’s command in Revelation 3:19: Be zealous therefore, and repent. And may we properly direct that zeal toward what God says are good works.
– Michael Hickox