Revelation 3:19-22 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.… I. ITS NATURE. II. ITS IMPORTANCE. Zeal is an appropriate quality of the spiritual life — the genial heat of the new nature, immediately subservient to its continuance and support, and operating to maintain its powers in their proper capacity for action. In nature, heat is the most active of all the elements. It is the prime agent which the Author of nature employs for promoting the subsistence and well-being of the universe. Animal and vegetable life have an immediate dependence on it; nor could nature itself, according to its apparent constitution and laws, subsist without it. To the effects of heat in nature, those of zeal in religion are directly analagous. How incapable of exertion, how indisposed to motion, how listless and insensible are men found, when their spirits are benumbed with cold affection! But under the influence of that kindly warmth which the Spirit of God imparts, how quickly do they revive, and become pliant and active! While zeal is thus necessary to the effectual performance of the Christian's work, it contributes also, as an effectual qualification, to render his service acceptable. III. RIGHTLY EXERCISED. 1. On right objects — objects which are intrinsically good, and which are of suitable importance, Should the furnace be heated seven times more than usual for no worthier purpose than the burning of a straw? 2. Zeal must also be exercised with a right mind. (1) Zeal must be exercised with knowledge. Perhaps there is nothing that is either more unseemly in itself or more mischievous in its consequences than zeal without knowledge. Such a zeal, considered in its exercise, may be compared to a ship, driving with full sail before the wind, without either compass or pilot — threatening the safety of everything that comes in her way, and in danger of driving at last upon some rock or shoal that shall cause her destruction. (2) Zeal must be exercised with sincerity. The concern which is expressed for religion must be real — the genuine result of principle and feeling — not affected, merely to cover sinister designs, to second views of worldly interest, to minister to secret pride — to the selfish vain-glorious desire of applause and estimation. (3) Genuine zeal must be exercised with impartiality — with an equal regard to the attainment of its object — whether it has respect to ourselves or to others. The zeal of too many is chiefly occupied abroad, in detecting and exposing the sins of others. (4) Zeal must be exercised with kind affection. (T. Fleming, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.WEB: As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. |
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