Galatians 4:18

DISCOURSE: 2073
THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN ZEAL

Galatians 4:18. It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing.

MEN act with energy in things that are agreeable to them. But while some are earnest in the support of religion, others are no less active in opposing it. This was the case with the false teachers, who sought to exclude the Apostle, that they might extend their own influence in the Churches of Galatia [Note: ver. 17.]. But the Apostle justly condemns them, and recommends energy in a better cause.

The text will lead us to consider,

I. The nature of Christian zeal—

Zeal is a strong affection of the mind; and is good or evil, according to the object towards which it is directed, and the manner in which it is exercised. It is more frequently in Scripture spoken of as evil [Note: Acts 5:17; Acts 13:45; Acts 17:5.]: but there is also a Christian zeal; which is distinguished by two things:

1. It is good in its object—

[Some spend their zeal in things that are in themselves sinful [Note: Philippians 3:6; John 16:2.]: and others on things indifferent [Note: Mark 7:3. And those amongst ourselves who raise fierce disputes about human ordinances.]: but the Christian’s zeal is directed to what is good; he maintains with steadfastness the faith of the Gospel [Note: He follows the injunctions and examples of the apostles, in opposition to what is improperly called candour. Jude, ver. 3.Galatians 1:8; Galatians 1:2 John, ver. 10.]; and engages heartily in the practice of its precepts [Note: Titus 2:11; Titus 2:14.]

2. It is uniform in its operation—

[The zeal of many is only occasional and partial [Note: It shews itself only in things that require little or no self-denial.]; but the Christian’s is uniform and universal [Note: It “affects us always” not as a feverish, but a vital, heat; not as a meteor, but as the sun.]: it has respect to every duty; stimulating to private and personal, as well as public and official, duties. It does not, however, lay the same stress on trifles, as on the weightier matters of the law; but proportions its exercise to the importance of the things about which it is engaged.]

That such a zeal is truly praiseworthy, will appear, while we point out,

II.

Its excellence—

The text pronounces it to be “good;” and not without reason; for,

1. It is that which stamps a value on all other graces—

[What are the most excellent graces without this? Faith is only a cold assent; hope, a mere doubtful expectation; and love, a general good-will, or rather, an empty name. The best of services without this is a worthless formality. But, on the other hand, the poorest and meanest service accompanied with this, is pleasing to God. The widow’s mite surpassed the rich donations of the wealthy [Note: Mark 12:41.]; nor shall a cup of cold water lose its reward [Note: Matthew 10:42; 2 Corinthians 8:12.]

2. It is by that alone that we can honour God—

[Lukewarm services declare, in fact, that God is not worthy of any better testimony of our esteem; and hence it is that they are so odious in his sight [Note: Revelation 3:16.]. But, if we act with zeal, we silently, yet powerfully, proclaim to all, that God is worthy of all the love and honour we can render him. God himself testifies, that if we observe the sabbath in a becoming manner, we honour him [Note: Isaiah 58:13.]: and the same is true of every other duty we perform.]

3. By that we may ensure success—

Exertion does not always command success in an earthly race or warfare. But in spiritual things none can fail who exert themselves with zeal in God’s appointed way. “They shall know, who follow on to know the Lord [Note: Hosea 6:3.];” and to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, shall eternal life assuredly be given [Note: Romans 2:7.]. Many seek to enter into the kingdom of heaven, and are not able: but none ever yet strove in vain [Note: Luke 13:24.]

Address—
1.

Those who have no zeal at all in religion—

[Whatever zeal men exercise in their worldly callings, few, alas! are much in earnest about religion. The natural man has no heart, no life or spirit in any thing he does for God. But will the heart-searching God be pleased with mere formal services? We ourselves do not accept them favourably at the hands of a fellow-creature; and shall God from us [Note: Matthew 15:8.]? If we would ever be approved of God, let us follow that injunction, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might [Note: Ecclesiastes 9:10.].”]

2. Those who have declined in their zeal—

[“When iniquity abounds, the love of many will wax cold.” And are there none amongst us who have “left off to behave themselves wisely;” none who have lost their first love? Let the solemn charge addressed to such persons in the primitive churches, be duly considered, and obediently regarded [Note: Revelation 2:4; Revelation 3:19.]: for “it were better never to have known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn from it [Note: 2 Peter 2:21.].”]

3. Those who feel the importance and necessity of zeal—

[Good as zeal is in a good cause, it may become pernicious both to ourselves and others, if it be not properly directed. There is “a zeal without knowledge [Note: Romans 10:2.],” which may easily be mistaken for Christian zeal. Let all then who would serve God acceptably, endeavour to have their zeal well regulated, both with respect to its objects, and the manner of its operation. Let their own sins, rather than the sins of others, and their own duties, rather than those of others, be the first objects of their regard. Let not a proud, bigoted, or vindictive spirit be cherished by them under the cloak of zeal [Note: Luke 9:54.]; but let every duty to God or man be tempered with meekness, humility, and love. Let nothing bear such a preponderance in their mind as to make any other duty appear light and insignificant. Let the world, the family, and the closet, have each its proper portion of attention: and, with increasing ardour, let them follow Christ, whose “meat was to do the will of him that sent him [Note: John 4:34.]”