Be Zealous in Your Faith: Never Be Lacking in Zeal

God disdains slothfulness in our work and particularly when it comes to our walks of faith. He Who bled and died to give us life requires our all - not simply a part or merely a nod of assent or a job done halfway, sans heart. Further, delaying to look after spiritual matters can be a very dangerous thing. It is certainly easy to waste one’s life, Amen? Remember, it is the sluggard who begs for more time, more rest before they get up and get to the important, the necessary. There will always be a myriad of distractions. And we are not to be lazy about the most significant things. Scripture tells us in Proverbs 6:9-11 (NIV): “How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” Indeed, it was purportedly asked of Alexander how he came to conquer the world and his reply was, “I never willfully postpone to a future time anything which ought now to be done.” The soul needs an insatiable desire to walk in God’s will and in His way. And it is never too late to start, yet it is vastly important to start.      

The great Apostle Paul set the prize before him regarding the actions of his own walk when he writes these words in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV): “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” Indeed, we would do well for our mindset to be likewise.

Distractions are a given in our day. Yet, more than likely, distractions have been rampant in many if not all generations prior. Taking captive our thoughts and actions and making them obedient to Christ calls for a made up mindset and a fixed focus. It always has. To be sure, it is easy to waste one’s life and a life is a terrible thing to waste, Amen? Our lives are also very fleeting, each minute being a miracle and unrepeatable. When we remain fervent in spirit serving the Lord, faithful in prayer and fixed upon His Word and its truths and promises – this is pleasing to the Lord Jesus and it is also taking hold of the life that is truly life. We are to serve Him with great industry and endeavor. And He is oh so worthy to be served! It is important for us to check your priorities against Scripture to see if we are wanting and change our ways if necessary. Remember, one never outgives God either. Whatever “meager” sacrifice we may make will, in the end, be more than compensated for – so much more. We serve a gracious and loving God, slow to anger and abounding in great love and mercy and Who is ever so worthy of our all.