By: Voon Yuen Woh, Pastor, FGT Seremban
During the Swiss Reformation battles there was one occasion when the battle squares of Catholic pike and spear men could not be broken by volleys of arrows and primitive muskets. One Protestant soldier left the safety of his own square and ran boldly towards the corner of an enemy square. A dozen of the enemy threw their spears at him and in the process killed him. However, in throwing their spears, the men of the corner had disarmed themselves, allowing the rest of the Protestants to cut their way through to scatter the enemy and win the battle. The sacrifice of this one hero won the battle and ultimately the war for Swiss rights. It is of course rare for such major events in history to depend on the action of one individual. Nonetheless history is a record of the self-sacrifice of individuals either for the common good of the larger group or simply as a matter of good conscience towards God. These actions are motivated by zeal, the jealousy for one’s honour and reputation. Zeal, the Bible tells us, is a divine character trait. We can be certain that God Himself acts in jealousy for His own honour and reputation.
1. The Zeal of the Lord will purge the evil in His people
In John’s Gospel 2 , we see Jesus, the Son of God, cleansing the temple. The House of God had been polluted with the love of money and the rot had gone all the way to the top. As a result of human greed, the name of the Lord was being dishonoured amongst the people. As Jesus personally cleared the temple of those doing business with His own physical strength, the disciples recalled what was written 3,”Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” The next time you come across believers damaging the reputation and name of the Lord, be rest assured that the Lord is zealous for His Own House (the body of Christ) and its testimony to an unbelieving world. Truly, the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?4 Whenever the Name of the Lord is dishonoured, we can rest in the knowledge that He will not take it lying down. He is not merely the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild” but the One whose “eyes were like blazing fire.” 5 Believers must live holy lives to honour God’s Name. The Lord will not brood any nonsense as He is zealous for His own Name’s sake. He will purge any evil in His people. As Sergio Scataglini states, in respect of a believer’s lifestyle, “98% purity is not enough.”6 When the Lord Jesus looks in your life with his blazing eyes, what does He see in your temple of the Lord 7?
2. The Zeal of the Lord will build His kingdom
In the Messianic prophecies, the government of the Son of David will increase and have peace without end. He will reign on David’s throne with justice and righteousness forever. The prophet Isaiah said that the zeal of the Lord would accomplish this 8. Despite what worldly governments are doing to persecute the church and attempting to destroy God’s kingdom, the church of Jesus Christ is growing and growing. The kingdom of God’s Son will increase because God’s zeal will bring it to pass. The zeal of the Lord will build His own kingdom. If we will not respond when He calls us to make sacrifices and to serve Him, God will raise up others. Whether individually we choose to participate in the work of God or not, God will still build His church. It is a privilege to be used by the Lord. Often projects that require large financial sacrifices are opportunities that the Lord has accorded to us to co-labour to build His kingdom. Woe to us if God passes us by. If we will not respond, He will choose someone else. Fanny Crosby, the visually impaired hymn writer wrote, “Pass me not, O gentle Saviour, hear my humble cry; whilst on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.” Jesus has said, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”9 If you ever felt discouraged or helpless in the work of the Lord, rest in this: The zeal of the Lord will build His Own kingdom.
3. The Zeal of the Lord will bring judgement
The prophet Ezekiel warns the people of Jerusalem that God would punish them for their disobedience. They had turned to idolatry and were unwilling to heed the word of God through the prophet. Therefore God would act in judgement to reveal who He really is. Since the people would not listen to God’s words, they would be taught by his actions. The Lord had said, “And when I have spent my wrath upon them, they will know that I the LORD have spoken in my zeal.” 10 God first speaks to us and calls us to obedience. If we will not respond, He will speak again and warn us of the consequences of our disobedience. Finally, the time of grace will expire and He will act in His zeal. Our God is a God of action, not a God of mere words. Dear friend, what has God been saying to you? What kind of response is God asking from you? If you are planning to respond, I urge you: Be in time. Our God is a zealous God. He WILL act to maintain the honour of His name.
All quotations are in the NKJV unless otherwise stated.
1 – 2 Kings 19:31; Isaiah 9:7; 26:11
2 – John 2:15-25
3 – Psalms 69:9
4 – 1 Peter 4:17
5 – Revelations 1:14 NIV
6 – Scataglini, Sergio, The Fire of His Holiness, Renew Books, 1999
7 – 2 Cor 6:16
8 – Isaiah 9:7
9 – Matt 16:18
10 – Ezekiel 5:13