Topical Bible: Character of the Renewed Heart: Zealous

Bible > Topical > Character of the Renewed Heart

◄ Character of the Renewed Heart: Zealous ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian tradition, zeal is a fervent and diligent devotion to God and His purposes. It is a defining characteristic of a heart renewed by the Holy Spirit, reflecting a passionate commitment to the advancement of God's kingdom and the pursuit of holiness. The concept of zeal is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is often associated with righteous fervor and spiritual enthusiasm.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible presents zeal as an essential attribute of a faithful believer. In Romans 12:11, the Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" . This verse underscores the importance of maintaining a zealous spirit in service to God, suggesting that such fervor is a natural outflow of a heart transformed by grace.

In the Old Testament, zeal is frequently associated with God's own character. Isaiah 9:7 speaks of the "zeal of the LORD of Hosts" as the driving force behind the establishment of His kingdom. This divine zeal serves as a model for believers, who are called to mirror God's passionate commitment to righteousness and justice.

Examples of Zeal in Scripture

Several biblical figures exemplify the character of zeal. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, is commended for his zealous action in Numbers 25:11-13, where his fervor for God's holiness leads to the cessation of a plague among the Israelites. His zeal is rewarded with a covenant of peace, highlighting the divine approval of such fervent devotion.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul stands as a paragon of zeal. Before his conversion, Paul was zealous for the traditions of his fathers, as he himself recounts in Galatians 1:14. However, after encountering Christ, his zeal is redirected towards the proclamation of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 9:16, Paul declares, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" , illustrating his unwavering commitment to his divine calling.

Zeal and Love

True zeal is inseparable from love. In Revelation 3:19, Jesus admonishes the church in Laodicea, saying, "Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent" . Here, earnestness, or zeal, is linked to repentance and love, suggesting that genuine zeal is motivated by a deep love for God and others.

The Apostle Peter also connects zeal with love in 1 Peter 3:13, where he asks, "Who will harm you if you are zealous for what is good?" . This rhetorical question implies that zeal for goodness, rooted in love, is a protective and commendable quality.

Zeal in Practice

A renewed heart expresses zeal through various practical means. This includes a commitment to prayer, diligent study of Scripture, active participation in the life of the church, and a fervent desire to share the Gospel. Zeal also manifests in the pursuit of personal holiness and a willingness to stand for truth, even in the face of opposition.

However, it is crucial that zeal be guided by knowledge and wisdom. Romans 10:2 warns of having "zeal without knowledge" , which can lead to misguided actions. Therefore, a balanced zeal is informed by Scripture and tempered by the Holy Spirit, ensuring that it aligns with God's will and purposes.

Conclusion

The character of the renewed heart is marked by zeal, a passionate and fervent devotion to God and His kingdom. This zeal, modeled after God's own character and exemplified by biblical figures, is an essential aspect of the Christian life, driving believers to pursue holiness, love, and truth with unwavering commitment.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 17:6
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 20:9
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Our Watchword
... sustain and bring to perfection in the renewed heart an ardent ... an instructed
apprehension as to the character of this ... Your heart is bound to Jesus, his name is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/our watchword.htm

Letter xvii. Harmony of Christian Character.
... It is to be "renewed in knowledge, after the image ... is but acting out the state of
heart expressed by ... The beauty of the Christian character greatly depends on ...
/.../letter xvii harmony of christian.htm

Letter xviii. Marriage.
... can be formed between the carnal and the renewed heart. ... be a dark mark against any
one's Christian character. ... Although he had been so zealous in the service of ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter xviii marriage.htm

Of the Character of the Unregenerate.
... an essential branch of every good man's character; for he ... Philippians 3:19,) for
having your heart on earth ... and liberal principle of a nature savingly renewed. ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse i of the character.htm

Christian Sympathy
... grace into the crystal pool of a renewed heart it stirs ... of real distress of a private
character, a suffering ... good advice, and good cheer to the heart which is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

The Withered Fig Tree
... yet have no fear of God in my heart, is not ... the redeeming blood, and have never been
renewed by the ... angel's name when it bears the devil's character, is almost ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/the withered fig tree.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... from sinners, how could we possibly answer that character which our Lord ... Never,
therefore, let it enter into the heart of him whom God hath renewed in the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 24 upon our lords.htm

A More Particular view of the Several Branches of the Christian ...
... thus briefly illustrated the principal branches of the Christian temper and character,
I shall ... "May I, O Lord, be renewed in the ... (Eph.4:24) A new heart do thou ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xiv a more particular.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it ...
... few important branches of the Christian character, which may ... of these views rejoices
him to the very heart. ... But the renewed soul, having such awful conceptions ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse ii of the nature.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... the foundation of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the ... The Saviour's heart
overflowed with love ... the Bible would show Protestants the real character of the ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm