"GOD's Jealousy Demands Our Zeal for HIM"

Titus 2:11-15  "For the grace of GOD that brings salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST; WHO gave HIMSELF for us, that HE might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto HIMSELF a peculiar (special) people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." 

     GOD in HIS Holy jealousy, demands our exclusive devotion and unreserved love. Our response to GOD's jealousy over us needs to be our fervent zeal for HIM. We are to have a red-hot and burning zeal to honor the LORD and to be found well-pleasing in HIS sight. Lukewarmness has no place among the devoted people of GOD.

     J.C.Ryle, and English preacher from the 1800's, explained the meaning of true zeal for JESUS CHRIST as follows:  "Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please GOD, to do HIS will, and to advance HIS glory in the world in every possible way. A zealous man in religion is pre-eminently a man of one thing. It is not enough to say that he is earnest, hearty, uncompromising, thorough-going, whole-hearted, fervent in spirit. He sees only one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please GOD. Whether he lives, or whether he dies - whether he has health, or whether he has sickness - whether he is rich, or whether he is poor - whether he pleases man, or whether he gives offense - whether he is thought wise, or whether he is thought foolish -whether he gets blame, or whether he gets praise - whether he gets honor, or whether he gets shame - for all this the zealous man cares nothing at all. He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please GOD, and to advance GOD's glory. If he is consumed in the very burning, he cares not for it - he is content. He feels that, like a lamp, he is made to burn; and if he is consumed in burning, he has but done the work for which GOD appointed him."  May we today be people of one thing: "This one thing I do" (Philippians 3:13-14; Psalm 27:4; Luke 10:42). GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: The Daily Bible Study Guide.
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