+I. Various kinds of zeal.+--1. There is a zeal of God which is not
according to knowledge. 2. There is a mistaken zeal for the glory of
God. (1) When that is opposed which is right, under a false notion of
its being contrary to the glory of God. (2) When ways and methods
improper are taken to defend and promote the glory of God. (3) There
is a superstitious zeal, such as was in Baal's worshippers, who cut
themselves with knives and lancets; particularly in the Athenians,
who were wholly given to idolatry; and the Jews, who were zealous of
the traditions of the fathers. (4) There is a persecuting zeal, under
a pretence of the glory of God. (5) There is a hypocritical zeal for
God, as in the Pharisees, who make a show of great zeal for piety, by
their long prayers, when they only sought to destroy widows' houses
by that means. (6) There is a contentious zeal, which often gives
great trouble to Christian communities. (7) True zeal is no other
than a fervent, ardent love to God and Christ, and a warm concern for
their honour and glory.
+II. The objects of zeal.+--1. The object of it is God. The worship
of God, who must be known, or He cannot be worshipped aright. 2. The
cause of Christ is another object of zeal. The Gospel of Christ;
great reason there is to be zealous for that, since it is the Gospel
of the grace of God. 3. The ordinances of Christ, which every true
Christian should be zealous for, that they be kept as they were first
delivered, without any innovation or corruption. 4. The discipline of
Christ's house should be the object of our zeal. 5. True zeal is
concerned in all the duties of religion and shows itself in them.
+III. Motives exciting to the exercise of true zeal.+--1. The example
of Christ. 2. True zeal answers a principal end of the redemption of
Christ. 3. It is good, the apostle says, to be zealously affected in
and for that which is good. 4. A lukewarm temper, which is the
opposite to zeal, seems not consistent with true religion, which has
always life and heat in it. 5. The zeal of persons shown in a false
way should stimulate the professors of the true religion to show at
least an equal zeal.--_Pulpit Assistant._
_Christian Zeal_--
+I. Implies unwavering steadfastness of purpose.+
+II. Universal and hearty obedience to God's commands+ in all things,
small as well as great.
+III. Supreme devotion of heart and life to Christ.+
+IV. Should be exercised in a good thing.+--True zeal seeks
benevolent ends by lawful means, else it is fanaticism. It
seeks practical ends by wise means, else it is enthusiasm.
Zeal should be shown in active and useful devotion to the
cause of religion, rather than in excitement and warm
devotional exercise.
+V. Should be uniform, not periodical.+--It should not depend upon
the fluctuations of feeling, but should act upon principle.
Periodical fervours are deceitful, dangerous, injurious,
dishonourable to religion. They are commonly a proof of
superficial piety, or of none at all.--_Stephen Olin._
_Godly Zeal and its Counterfeits._
+I. Let us distinguish between mere natural zeal and spiritual
ardour.+--1. There is a zeal of _sympathy_ which is awakened by the
zeal of others with whom we associate. It is only that of the soldier
who, though himself a coward, is urged on to battle by the example of
those around him. 2. There is _constitutional_ zeal, a warmth, an
ardour, which enters into all we say or do, which pervades all our
actions and animates all our services. This is not strictly religious
but animal excitement and is no more allied to our soul-life than our
arms or our feet. 3. There is a zeal which is merely _sentimental._
It throws a romantic glamour over our objects; but its exercises are
too occasional, too random, to produce much effect. 4. There is a
zeal of _affectation_ like that of Jehu (2 Kings x. 16). This is
religious foppery and hypocritical vanity. 5. _Christian_ zeal is a
fair demonstration of what is felt within. It seeks not the eye of
man but acts under the conviction of God's omniscience.
+II. Consider the objects to which Christian zeal should be
directed.+--This "good thing" may be taken as including all true
religion, and embracing: 1. The promotion of God's glory. 2. The
extension of Christ's kingdom. 3. The salvation of men. 4. The
conversion of the world.
+III. The good that results from the exercise of Christian zeal to
the persons that possess it.+--1. It renders them more Christ-like.
2. It furthers the Divine designs in the most effective way. 3. We
become worthy followers of the great heroes of faith in the past
ages.--_The Preacher's Magazine._
_True Christian Zeal._
+I. The Christian convert is zealously affected in a good
thing.+--1. _All the teachings of Christianity are good._ They
enlighten, guide, and sanctify. They are peculiar, harmonious,
infallible, Divine. Their morality is sublime, their spirit heavenly,
their effect glorious.
2. _The influence of Christianity is good._--It has created the sweet
charities of national and domestic life, sanctified advancing
civilisation, softened the fierceness of war, stimulated science,
promoted justice and liberty. Sceptics have admitted this.
3. _All that Christianity accomplishes for man is good._--It saves
him from sin, from the stings of guilt, from the eternal consequences
of wrong-doing.
+II. The zeal of the Christian convert is to be steady and
continuous.+--There should be no diminution nor fluctuation in our
zeal. 1. _Because no reason can be assigned why we should not be as
zealous at any after-hour as at the hour of our conversion._
2. _Because it is only by steady and continuous zeal that a proper
measure of Christian influence can be exerted._ 3. _Because only by
steady and continuous zeal can Christian character be matured._
4. _Because only thus can success in Christian enterprises be
attained._ 5. _Because steady and continuous zeal will alone bring
Divine approval._
+III. The zeal of the Christian convert is not to be unduly
influenced by the presence of others.+--While Paul was with the
Churches in Galatia they were zealous, but after his departure their
zeal ceased. To lose our zeal because we have lost the influence of
another is to show: 1. _That we never possessed true Christian
motives._ 2. _That our supposed attachment to Christ and His cause
was delusive._ 3. _That our zeal had merely been an effort to please
men, not God.--The Lay Preacher._
Ver. 19. _The Christmas of the Soul._--The apostle refers to the
spiritual birth. The soul then rises into a consciousness of its
infinite importance; its thoughts, sympathies, and purposes become
Christ-like, and Christ is manifested in the life. The soul-birth
were impossible if Christ had not been born in Bethlehem. That was an
era in the world's history, this in the individual life; that was
brought about by the Holy Spirit, this is effected by the same Divine
Agent; that was followed by the antagonism of the world, this is
succeeded by the opposition of evil, both within and without; that
was the manifestation of God in the flesh, this is the renewing of
man's nature in the image of God; that came to pass without man's
choice, this requires man's seeking. Has this spiritual birth taken
place in you? If so, you have a right to the enjoyment of a happy
Christmas. Keep the feast as a new man in Christ Jesus.--_Homiletic
Monthly._