They Have Zeal

Paul first commended the church at Rome for having zeal. Paul/Saul could relate to this weakness since he too once had zeal (Acts_26:9) but there were many things he must learn. The Lord had a talk with Paul (Acts_9:4ff) about his lack of knowledge and Paul went to work to gain more knowledge.

First we notice he made it a point to keep company with godly men and learn from them. Dr. Luke, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Gamaliel and a host of others to include the Holy Spirit. All influenced his growth in the knowledge of Jesus that he was lacking at the start of his preaching career.

Apollos is another great servant who preached the gospel for the Lord but lacked adequate knowledge. A husband and wife, Aquila and Priscilla, teamed together and “explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts_18:26).

There are whole churches that have zeal but haven’t harnessed that zeal for the Lord. Jesus spoke of that condition existing in Matthew_7:21-22 where people were working and working hard but they were ignorant of doing things God’s way. It has been my observation that there are many Christians who need good leadership. Someone with knowledge, vision and faith can lead others to get things done – a catalyst if you please.

There is a way out of ignorance. By doing what Paul told Timothy to do (1Timothy_4:13). First, attend to reading then Second, exhortation then Third, doctrine and finally, Forth, meditation.

Some People Have Knowledge but Lack Zeal

The scribes and Pharisees knew about the Messiah coming but failed to apply zeal. Many of my brethren fall into that category. It was more important for them to be popular among their peers than to evangelize/proselyte lost souls.

Brethren, are we so contented that we have “the truth” that we’ve quite taking the gospel to others? Do you have a bible study going with someone? When did you last invite someone to church services or bible study? Are you availing yourself of the many tracts we have in the foyer? Do you remember the zeal you had when you became a member of the church? What happened to that zeal you once had? Let us not stand before God and hear Him say, “You wicked and lazy servant.” (Matthew_25)

Those People who Have Neither Zeal nor Knowledge

This is the third group we want to examine. Another expression used to mark these people is apathetic. “I don’t know and I don’t care. The apostle John said it best to the church at Laodicea, “You are neither hot nor cold. So because you are neither hot nor cold, I will spew/spit you out”. How sad those words are to hear. Luke warmness is unacceptable to God. If you were a supervisor in charge of turning out so many widgets in a day and you weren’t meeting your quota, what do you suppose would happen to your job? Everyone must do there best and clearly we aren’t. There are many ways we can reach lost souls. Paul spoke, “of a great and effective door has been opened to me” ICorinthians_16:9. We must pray for open doors and then take advantage of them to the glory of God.

Both Zeal and Knowledge are Needed by Everyone

The song, “I want to be a worker for the Lord” means even the one talent man has a duty to God and his/her brothers and sisters. Not everyone will reap a bountiful harvest. for the Lord. Jesus spoke of “good seed that fell on good ground and yielded a crop; some a hundred fold, some sixty, and some thirty” Matthew_13:8.

This was not a lesson on farming techniques. Instead, it is a lesson about the productive Christian. The meaning of the unfruitful fig tree went deeper that than a disappointed Lord who had nothing to eat because the fig tree was barren at a time when it should have born fruit (Matthew_21:19). Instead, this illustrates the principle of productivity. It’s all about people who were unfruitful. Finally, the Hebrew writer, 5:12-14) chided the people who were unable to eat meat and were still on “the bottle”. How very sad to see a grown man walking about carrying a baby bottle but that’s what he found among our brethren.

Jesus answered those who questioned Him, “I must be about My Father’s business”. So must we! And He wasn’t referring to Joseph’s carpentry shop but rather the business of His heavenly Father.

Bill Watkins