Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Committed Zeal

COMMITTED ZEAL
Acts 9:1-18
The Message vv. 1-5: “All this time [after Jesus’ ascension, and Holy Spirit arrived to the disciples who were going out to the world], Saul [who was later renamed Paul] was breathing down the necks of the Master’s disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to The Way [what the first Christian faith was called], whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.

“He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: ‘Saul, Saul, why are you out to get Me?’

“He said, ‘Who are You, Master?’

“‘I am Jesus, the One you’re hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you’ll be told what to do next.’”

Pretty convincing, isn’t it? Paul’s conversion experience on the road to Damascus changed his life forever. Today, people may say that God speaks to them, but we don’t imagine that their experience is as dramatic as when Jesus blew Paul’s mind. Even Paul’s travelling companions were speechless (verse 7). Paul’s commitment exploded with zeal (ZEEL means eager enthusiasm)—grateful for Jesus’ grace—a second chance for his salvation.

Jesus became the central motivating force in Paul’s life (see Christocentric devotion). Regardless of whether he was bound with chains in prison, preaching to a crowd, or repairing a tent—Paul never stopped talking about Jesus—as his having authored many New Testament books prove. One visit from the resurrected Christ consumed Paul, positive that the Gospel message is the only thing that matters in life.

Paul’s right.

On the cross, Jesus shouldered all our sins—past, present and future (1Peter 2:24). He suffered beatings, whippings, and separation from the Father so that His death would buy our forgiveness. Our salvation brings us to the very throne of the Father, Who sees us as blameless, holy, and welcomes us as His kids. By faith in Jesus—we’re born again—and the indwelling Holy Spirit equips, teaches, and strengthens us every day of our lives.

This demonstrates Jesus’ committed zeal for us!
Take Home Nugget

Won’t you offer Jesus your committed zeal? What awesome power we’d have as one body in Christ—if every believer were committed with zeal! (See Universal Church of Individuals and Explaining One Body devotions). The more we learn about Jesus, the more intense our faith and zeal.

Awesome Savior, keep me humble,
Fill me with committed zeal.
Pick me up whenever I stumble,
Proclaiming the Gospel as the real deal.

J.D. Griffith
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