zeal

Zeal

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

Zeal is defined as a great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. Zeal for God is more than religious enthusiasm—it is a deep, burning devotion that shapes how we think, live, and love. Throughout Scripture, zeal is pictured as a holy fire, one that fuels obedience, worship, and courage even when circumstances are difficult.

The psalmist declares, “Zeal for your house consumes me” (Psalm 69:9). This is not a casual affection for God, but an all-consuming passion. True zeal flows from a heart that knows who God is and cannot remain indifferent.

Biblical zeal is not loud showmanship or self-righteous intensity. Paul warns that it’s possible to have “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Zeal without truth can drift into pride, legalism, or harm. But zeal grounded in the truth of God’s Word leads to humility, repentance, and love.

Jesus Himself modeled perfect zeal. When He cleansed the temple, His actions were driven by reverence for God’s holiness and compassion for people being misled (John 2:13–17). His zeal was never about drawing attention to Himself, but about honoring the Father.

Zeal is not something we manufacture through sheer effort. It is born from intimacy with God. As we spend time in His presence—through prayer, Scripture, and worship—our hearts are stirred. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we begin to say, “Did not our hearts burn within us…?” (Luke 24:32).

The Holy Spirit ignites and sustains this passion. When we remember the mercy we have received and the grace that has saved us, gratitude fuels devotion.

Zeal for God shows up in everyday faithfulness. It looks like choosing obedience when it’s costly, loving others when it’s inconvenient, and standing for truth with gentleness and grace. Paul exhorts believers, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).

This kind of zeal is steady, not seasonal. It endures through dry seasons and grows deeper through trials.

If your zeal feels dim, take heart. God delights in rekindling hearts that turn toward Him. Pray with the psalmist: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12). Ask the Lord to renew your passion—not for activity alone, but for Him.

May our lives echo the words of Jesus: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 4:34). When God becomes our greatest delight, zeal will naturally follow.

Peace and a new zeal in Christ brothers and sisters!

This is the Way part three

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the third post about this wonderful journey of following Jesus and the path we devote ourselves to walking. The topic for today will hopefully convict those of us who have found complacency a companion and encourage those trailblazers to keep up the good work.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Romans 12:11

This verse is a powerful call to action. In a world that often drains our energy and dulls our passion, Paul reminds us to keep our hearts burning with spiritual fire as we serve the Lord. Let’s take a closer look at what that means—and how we can live it out.

Never Be Lacking in Zeal

Zeal means energy, eagerness, and enthusiasm. It’s that excited drive that pushes us to do something with all our heart. Paul isn’t saying we’ll always feel energetic or joyful—he’s saying don’t let your fire die out.

Life has a way of wearing us down: routines get boring, challenges come, and our love for God and people can grow cold if we’re not careful. Paul’s challenge is to guard that spark, to stay spiritually awake and alert.

Ask yourself: Am I coasting through my faith, or am I still excited to grow, love, and serve?

Keep Your Spiritual Fervor

The word fervor comes from a Greek word that literally means “to boil.” Paul wants us to keep our spiritual lives hot—not lukewarm. This doesn’t mean fake emotional hype. It means staying alive in our relationship with God—regularly praying, reading the Word, worshiping, and staying connected to the Holy Spirit.

Spiritual fervor is not something we generate on our own. It’s the result of staying close to Jesus.

Serving the Lord

The purpose of all this energy and passion? To serve. Zeal and fervor aren’t just for our benefit—they’re meant to overflow into action. Serving God means loving others, using our gifts, showing up when needed, and living with purpose.

Passion that doesn’t serve becomes self-focused. But when we direct it toward God and people, we reflect Jesus—who lived with fire and poured out His life for others.

How to Stay Spiritually Ignited

Spend time in prayer and the Bible even when you don’t feel like it. Surround yourself with passionate believers who inspire you. Worship regularly—in private and with others. Use your gifts in your church or community. Remember your “why”—you’re serving the Lord, not people’s approval.

Romans 12:11 is a gentle yet urgent reminder: don’t let your faith go cold. Keep your spiritual fire alive. Stay passionate. Serve with joy. Because when we serve the Lord with zeal, we reflect His love and light in a weary world.

Peace, fire, and a passion for godliness, brothers and sisters.

Sloppy Christians

~ ForCommonGround ~ Leave a comment

285435-Miyamoto-Musashi-Quote-Truth-is-not-what-you-want-it-to-be-it-is

The Christian is the partaker of the greatest gift in human history – God’s grace. A sad byproduct of grace can sometimes be sloppiness on the part of the recipient. People can get lax, neglectful, and take their faith in a very casual manner. Those are three words that are never found in the Bible and never meant to describe the follower of Jesus. Instead, it says:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Romans 10:9-11 ESV

Our faith is not a competition but it should be something that is propelling us forward. Progress is never casual, lax, or neglectful. The key contrast in the above quotation is between slothful and zeal. The Believer should be extremely zealous for the Lord and the mission we’ve been placed here for. We should be growing love for God and for others. We should be more about others and less about ourselves every year we get closer to the Lord. To have zeal is to have great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective. Our cause is to know Christ and to make Him known to the world. Our objective is humanity set free from the bondage of sin and death through a relationship with Jesus.

…and so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…

Colossians 1:9-11 ESV

We need to be growing in knowledge and wisdom. We need to be bearing fruit. We need to be experiencing His Holy Spirit power working in us. This is not the description of a sloppy Christian, this is someone who is in love with their Savior.