GOD LOVES A ZEALOUS SERVANT
SCRIPTURE: TITUS 2:13-14 (NKJV)
”…..looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
As believers in Christ Jesus, we represent him in this world. As our head, we are connected to him as his body and draw our life and strength from him. Indeed, his life is the same life that is in our spirits, which sustains us. Today’s verse reveals three things our Lord Jesus did to bring us to a certain place so that we can be a blessing to others. The Amplified version of our verse is very interesting.
” Who gave himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people (to be peculiarly His own, people who are ) eager and enthusiastic about (living a life that is good and filled with) beneficial deeds.”
What did Christ Jesus do, as revealed in this verse? He gave Himself for us, he redeemed us and purified us. In other words, he became our Substitute in his death and resurrection, purchased our freedom and consecrated us to himself by cleansing us. Praise God!
Why did he do all this? He did this to make us his special people who are zealous for good works. This clearly reveals God’s will for us as believers. We must be zealous or enthusiastic for good works and beneficial deeds. This is one important way we should represent our Lord Jesus Christ here in this world.
There is something more to learn about our Lord Jesus in Acts 10, verse 38. ” How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Notice how Jesus Christ went about doing good, preaching, teaching, healing and making life better for others. You and I have been separated unto him, anointed by him and positioned to make life better for others too; both believers and unbelievers. Let’s take note that it’s not just a matter of doing good. It’s about being zealous, enthusiastic or passionate about ministry and doing good to people both in and outside church.
Clearly, God wants us to be a blessing to others. And in doing so, he wants us to be passionate or enthusiastic about it. Our positive and cheerful attitude is as important to God as our service or ministry itself. Let’s continue to minister to others and be a blessing to them so that their needs will be met and our Father would be glorified.
Whilst we are serving others, let us just make sure we are zealous about it. Our passion must follow our service and beneficial deeds towards others. Let’s just conclude this matter like this: God loves a zealous servant.
PRAYER
Your plan for my life is quite clear to me, dear Father. You have blessed me with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ Jesus so that I can also be a blessing to others. I also recognise that cold service doesn’t please you. I determine to be passionate and zealous as I serve you and minister to others. By your Spirit, help me to grow in zeal and dedication as I continue to serve you in Jesus’ name, Amen.
FURTHER READING (NKJV)
JOHN 2:12-17
[12]After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.
[13]Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
[14]And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
[15]When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.
[16]And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
[17]Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”