The Father's Menu

The Father's Menu

Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

BE ZEALOUS THEREOF

Zeal can be defined as focused desire, characterized by passion and commitment. zeal is found 5 times and zealous 7 times. Typically, the Hebrew and Greek words for “zeal” or “zealous” also carry an idea of jealousy, specifically God’s jealousy for His people and His honor. God is described many times as having zeal and scriptures say, As He is so are we in this world, 1 John 4:17. Since our Father is zealous, and we are like Him, we are also called to a life of zeal towards God and His Kingdom. We must be intentional and serious about our work with the Lord! Hence, Jesus says to us, “Be zealous thereof!”

Jesus reminded us that, “for whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26) One who is zealous for God recognizes the personal cost of following Jesus but fully commits to following Him anyway. They are committed to God’s way of doing things, not their own, and are eager to embrace all that Christ wants to do in their life, even when that means surrender or sacrifice.

Being zealous for the Lord protects us from lukewarmness! The sin of lukewarmness is such that even the Lord spits us out of His mouth (Revelations 3:16) because we become useless to His agenda on the earth. Jesus warned that the Christian life isn’t easy, and the cost discipleship shouldn’t be taken lightly. As He said to His followers, “if anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) Yet Jesus encourages His followers to, “let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) Christians should be passionate about serving the Lord, and that fervor should be evident in their attitudes and actions. As Paul wrote to the Colossians, “whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Colossians 3:23) 

Prayer:

I declare in the name of Jesus, I become zealous from this day onward! Amen

Further Reading:

Romans 12:11 “Not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

Read through the bible in 1 year: Numbers 8:1-9:23 Mark 13:14-37 Psalm 50:1-23 Proverbs 10:29-30

Read through the bible in 2 years: Ez 21-22 & Ps 59