chapterEIGHT: zeal

to be "zealous" is to be wise!

"Christ gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus ii. 14.)

"Be zealous and repent." (Rev. iii. 19.)

I. What is zeal in religion?

a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way.

This desire is so strong, when it really reigns in a man, that it impels him to make any sacrifice...if only he can please God and honour Christ.

A zealous man in religion is pre-eminently a man of one thing. It is not enough to say that he is earnest, hearty, uncompromising, thorough-going, whole-hearted, fervent in spirit. He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please God. Whether he lives, or whether he dies,—whether he has health, or whether he has sickness,—whether he is rich, or whether he is poor,—whether he pleases man, or whether he gives offence,—whether he is thought wise, or whether he is thought foolish,—whether he gets blame, or whether he gets praise,—whether he gets honour, or whether he gets shame,—for all this the zealous man cares nothing at all. He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please God, and to advance God's glory.

• This zeal was the characteristic of all the Apostles. (e.g. Paul)
• This zeal was the characteristic of early Christians. (e.g. Ignatius, Polycarp)
• This zeal was the characteristic of Martin Luther.
• This zeal was the characteristic of English Reformers. (e.g. Wickliffe, Latimer)
• This zeal was the characteristic of all the greatest missionaries. (e.g. Dr. Judson)
• This zeal was the characteristic of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Himself!
  
  If these things are so, we should not only beware of running down zeal, but we should also beware of allowing zeal to be run down in our presence. It may be badly directed, and then it becomes a curse ;—but it may be turned to the highest and best ends, and then it is a mighty blessing.
  

II. When a man can be called rightly zealous in religion?

• If a zeal be true, it will be a zeal according to knowledge. (Romans 10:2)
• If a zeal be true, it will be a zeal from true motives. 
• A man may have zeal about things that are good and right, but from second-rate motives, and not from a desire to please God. And such zeal is worth nothing. It is reprobate silver. It is utterly unwanting when placed in the balance of God. Man looks only at the action: God looks at the motive. Man only thinks of the quantity of work done: God considers the doer's heart.
• If a zeal be true, it will be a zeal about things according to God's mind, and sanctioned by plain examples in God's Word.
• E.g.: Zeal for our own growth in personal holiness, for the salvation of souls, against evil practices, for maintaining the doctrines of the Gospel
• If a zeal be true, it will be a zeal tempered with charity and love.
• The weapons of true zeal are not carnal, but spiritual. True zeal will hate sin, and yet love the sinner. True zeal will hate heresy, and yet love the heretic. True zeal will long to break the idol, but deeply pity the idolater. True zeal will abhor every kind of wickedness, but labour to do good even to the vilest of transgressors.
• If a zeal be true, it will be a zeal joined to a deep humility.

III. Why it is a good thing for a man to be zealous in religion?

• Zeal is good for a Christian's own soul.
• Zeal is good for the professing Church of Christ generally.
• Zeal is good for the world. 

Ryle, J. C. "Zeal." 2009. Practical Religion. Carlisle: Banner of Truth, 1998. 183-209. Print.