[Biblemat] S) ZEAL FOR GOD

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
recent files.  Use to the glory of God.

ZEAL FOR GOD

     The apostle Paul showed the need for ardent zeal when he
wrote, "But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter
at all times" (Gal. 4:18).  Indifference toward truth will only
please Satan.  The compelling aura of Christianity demands
our very best effort.  Negligence in matters divine is far too
common in our society today.  Living for Jesus ought to pro-
duce in us the highest excitement and most loyal devotion.  It
is beneath the dignity of the gospel for us to the casual about
the cause of Christ and the souls of men.  An old song backs
up the familiar adage, "Anything worth while is worth fighting
for."  And so we sing:  Valiant endeavor and loving obedience
Freely and joyously now would we bring.

     When we are "not ashame of the gospel" (Rom. 1:16), we
do not fear the schemes of evil men who are against us.  De-
votion to God will overwhelm the vagaries of men who have
a disdain for holiness and commitment to spiritual values.  We dare not allow 
sinful neighbors to halt our plans of evang-
elism, nor to compromise our dedication to the Savior who
died at Calvary.  We can never turn back to easy street, but
muct accept the challenges found in the "desert of sorrow and sin."  We shall 
echo the sentiment of Peter and John, 
found in Acts 5:29, "We ought to obey God rather than men."

     When we stand up for God in this severely hellish world,
it will build conviction and confidence in our hearts.  It will 
spur us on to greater heights when we really believe, and we
will just have to speak up for Christ: "But having the same
spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed,
and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also
we speak" (2 Cor. 4:13).  To spend our lives in a selfish man-
ner is to be our own worst enemy.  To share with others our
time, money and joy as a Christian is the very backbone of 
usefulness.

     The psalmist confesses our need of heavenly help: "Jehov-
ah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my
reck, in whom I will take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my 
high tower.  I will call upon Jehovah, who is
worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from mine enemies"
(Psa. 18:2,3).  These are reminders of the dearest friend of all 
time, and a corollary of Psa. 27:1, "Jehovah is my light and my salvation; 
Whom shall I fear?  Jehovah is the strength of
my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"

     In Exo. 14:14, under desparate straits, Israel was promised
that Jehovah would fight for them and give them peace!  Christians are told 
that the Lord will be with us, whatever the
obstacle may be (Matt. 28:20).  And the Lord promised, "I will
in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5).  
A wonderful hymn warms our hearts with these
words:
Footsteps of Jesus before us lead,
We tread life's journey, His warning heed;
Evil allurement cannot prevail,
I'm on the upward way.
Safe on the mountain I now can stand,
Hilltops of glory land.

--------- Johnny Ramsey in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 56, No. 18, 
May 4, 2007.   </HTML>
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