Where is your Zeal?
Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;

Zeal is not a word commonly used today. If it was it would probably be in the context of material possessions, or a personal drive towards a goal. Zeal is defined as:: eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something : fervor. I think simply stated your zeal is what drives you. As I head out today to enjoy time on a dirt bike, I realize it is where my zeal was for many years. It was how you defined me. It was my everything, and what my life pursuit consisted of; it was my idol. It is now a huge part of my testimony of God’s work in my life, and the delivery from that idol. What do you pursue with zeal, forsaking many things focused on that pursuit, now realizing it has become an idol?

Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Paul was speaking of Israel and their hearts for God, but yet their understanding was wrong. They believed they could earn their way into heaven. This problem still consists today in our self-righteous world, but that is not the Gospel of Christ who has come to save the world.

Having your focus on God and the pursuit of the things of God is where your zeal must lie. It is summarized in two incredible scriptures in Revelation of how to live a zealous life for Christ and the rewards that follow. Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Christ is not promising an easy road in a life focused on Him, for He is telling us He will correct and punish us for our sin. But He is pursuing you, and offering an eternal life with Him as a result of answering His knock and the repentance and forgiveness of sin. A zeal for God will drive you like nothing else.  For a heart for God sees none other that can promise anything but temporal pleasure in a fleeting world; yet a zealous heart for Him reaps eternal reward.