Let It Be Done With Zeal

by Chris Simmons

We read in Ezra chapter seven that when King Artaxerxes sent Ezra back to restore the worship of God according to the law of Moses in the land of Judea, he sent him back with all of the provisions that he might need to do the job. The king could provide the resources but he couldn’t do the work and it was up to Ezra and his brethren to handle the job of obeying all that God had commanded. However, King Artaxerxes did offer an admonishment to Ezra and his brethren in their efforts to serve God. We read in Ezra 7:23, “Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done with zeal for the house of the God of heaven, lest there be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons.” Our service and obedience to God is also to be characterized by zealousness but it is important that we understand what biblical zeal is, and what it isn’t.

Zeal is not…

Emotionalism. Zeal is not about emotions running roughshod over our knowledge, intelligence and will. Much is done in the name of religious worship that is purely and strictly emotionalism. Emotionalism is simply defined as the tendency to display or respond with an undue or unwarranted display of emotions. No doubt, there are proper ways and proper situations to express our emotions but the demonstration of our zeal toward God is never to be governed or overridden by our emotions. When worship to God is characterized by uncontrolled outbursts of emotion such as shouting, clapping, so-called speaking in tongues and the proverbial “rolling in the aisles,” God is not glorified and sin is being committed. Even when first century Christians were bestowed with miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, they were commanded to be kept under control and displayed in an orderly manner (I Corinthians 14:40).

Ignorance. Zeal towards God is never a substitute for knowledge. Paul wrote about this in Romans 10:2, when he said of his Jewish brethren and the hope of their salvation, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” Paul certainly understood the concept of misguided zeal for that is what characterized his life before he obeyed the gospel (Galatians 1:14; Philippians 3:6). But being excited and zealous for that which is false or erroneous only brings about eternal destruction. For example, a young aspiring doctor might be eager to help save peoples lives by performing open heart surgery. However, if he isn’t properly educated and trained, his zeal will only cost people their lives.

Irreverence. Zeal is never a license to be irreverent in our worship and our daily lives towards God. We are commanded to worship and live before God in a reverent and respectful manner, no matter how excited we might be. We read in Hebrews 12:28, “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” Biblical zeal never sets aside reverence and respect. It was because of irreverence that Uzzah was killed while the ark of the covenant was being transported (II Samuel 6:7). As David said in Psalms 2:11, “worship the LORD with reverence, and rejoice with trembling.”

Self expression. Zealousness does not entitle one to do what pleases self. We can not devise our own form of worship, claim it was born simply of our zeal, and expect that it will be pleasing to God (cf King Jeroboam in I Kings 12:33). Solomon said, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Many forms of unscriptural worship have been born under the idea of “I just have to express what is in my heart” without any consideration for what our Maker has asked for. It is extremely presumptive to think that we know better what God wants than He Himself.

Having considered what zeal is not, let us reflect on what biblical zeal is. W. E. Vine defines “zealous” as one who is a zealot or an “an uncompromising partisan” (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words). To be zealous is to be passionate for worshipping God, studying His word, living a holy life and defending the truth with a love that doesn’t fade (Revelation 2:5). It is to have a conviction that will not allow us to ever give in to temptation, persecution or mistreatment but continue to “press on” every day to the goal before us (I Peter 1:6-9; Philippians 3:17). It is to be diligent to know what God’s word says (II Timothy 2:15). It is to rejoice in our fellowship with our Father in heaven (I Corinthians 1:9; I John 1:3; Philippians 4:4). It is grounded in piety and reverence for who He is and who we are (Hebrews 12:28). It is based on knowledge and knowing what pleases Him (Colossians 1:10).

Zeal is needed in our obedience to the gospel (II Corinthians 7:11), our daily lives (Titus 2:14), our service (II Corinthians 9:2), all of which will ensure our continued fellowship with God (II Corinthians 7:7). We can’t be pleasing to God without zeal or without a proper understanding of what it really means.