“Living with zeal is far more than a positive attitude,” wrote Phillip Shumake in his book Lifelong Zeal, “it’s an active part of your character that requires you to expend significant energy.”
Phillip then offers this thoughtful admonition.
God treasures those who devote their energy to His kingdom. When you exert all of your energy on hobbies, entertainment, or the pursuit of money and comfort, you are too tired to give God your best. Can you imagine Jesus trying to zealously cleanse the temple but not expending great energy? It’s simply impossible. Yet, some Christians preserve so little energy for God’s interests that they can’t even stay alert during worship, much less give their energy to serving others. In a burst of energy to stand up for what is right. Either way, fueling your zeal with greater energy is essential.
Practically speaking, this means limiting the time you spend on TV, video games, the Internet, sports, or decorating your home. Everyone can benefit from reasonable amounts of rest and relaxation, but if these kinds of worldly distractions are robbing you of your energy, then you must “do away with childish things.”
While Phillip’s observations and exhortations are accurate and obvious, I had not thought about the component of energy in exactly that way. However, I began to consider the Bible commands that speak to exerting energy in spiritual matters.
- “Fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12).
- “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).
- “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:12).
- “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord” (Rom. 12:11).
- Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:10).
Of course, energetic zeal needs to be tempered with both knowledge and wisdom, as we’ve noted in earlier posts. WordPoints author Gary Henry was right when he wrote, “”It is a combination of valid principles and high energy we should desire. Principles without energy are ineffective, and energy without principles is destructive.”
Sadly some folks have lots of energy for the wrong activities. The 4th century theologian and philosopher Augustine of Hippo once offered this insightful definition of sin. “Sin is energy in the wrong channel.” In his early life Saul of Tarsus channeled his energy in persecuting Christians, making havoc of the church, and doing “many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth as he expressed it in Acts 26:9. He believed that he was being “zealous toward God” (Ax. 22:3). But he was mistaken.
When Paul’s zeal was redirected and channeled properly, he became energized for Christ and Christianity. Just a cursory examination of his ministry reveals a man who possessed high energy in seeking God’s favor, serving His purpose, sharing his faith. Paul’s epistles reflect this desire for others to follow his example. Thus, he exhorts us to be “zealous for good works” (Titus. 2:14).
The importance of energy to achieve spiritual success is reflected in a quote by the Canadian-born entrepreneur and philanthropist Alfred Carl Fuller. “The real difference between men is energy. A strong will, a settled purpose, an invincible determination, can accomplish almost anything; and in this lies the distinction between great men and little men.”
While there are other components to achievement and success, Fuller’s observation is not without merit. One Hall-Of-Fame basketball coach expressed it in these words. “The will to win is not nearly as important as the will to prepare to win. Everyone wants to win but not everyone wants to prepare to win. Preparing to win is where the determination that you will win, is made.” It is the “will to prepare” that couples energy with our zeal. It’s not just true on the basketball court. It’s true in life. It’s true spiritually.
Do you have a zeal for God? For worship? For discipleship? For ministry? For fellowship? For evangelistic outreach? Then you must exert the energy to make your zeal a reality.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Now I know that people like to point out how Paul is the Apostle to the Apostles and that many Roman Catholics have also claimed that Mary Magdalene is the Apostle to the Apostles….
Well here’s a thought to consider:
People like to point out how Mary Magdalene mistakenly “supposed” Jesus the Teacher was the Light and had stolen the body of the Bridegroom, ie the husbandman, the Gardener (John 20:15)…and that Paul caused so much havoc in the church, supposing, mistakenly thinking that Jesus the Teacher was the Light and the Bridegroom…and that this was misspent energy and zeal.
However, Paul also wrote to the Philippians saying: “Brothers (meaning all believers), that my circumstances have actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.…” (Philippians 1:12-13)
And in Galatian 2:20 Paul says: I have been crucified to Christ [the Rock, the Everlasting Father] and I no longer live, but Christ [the Rock, the Bridegroom] lives in me [the Bride]. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in [Jesus] the Son of [the Father] God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
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