[December 18th, 1853.]
I. Its general nature. II. Criteria by which to distinguish between true and false zeal. III. The duty and importance of being zealous.
I. The general nature of zeal.
Zeal is fervor. is from , to boil. It stands opposed (a.) To opposition. (b.) To indifference or lukewarmness. Its object may be good or bad, a person or thing, truth or error. The Jews and Paul were zealous for the law, and for the tradition of their fathers. Paul through zeal persecuted the Church.
II. Criteria of true and false zeal.
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They are not determined by their object. There can indeed be no holy zeal for sin or error; but there may be an unholy zeal for God and truth. Of this the Jews were an example.
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True or false zeal is not determined either by its energy, or by the self-denial and exertions to which it leads. Many unholy men are exceedingly fervid in their zeal, and many such make the greatest sacrifices for their ends.
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It is determined, first, by its source. The source of false zeal is either, 1st. Some selfish interest, as in the case of the Jews, the high churchman, the Romanist; or, 2d. Party spirit, national feeling, esprit de corps; or, 3d. False doctrine, hatred of the truth. The source of true zeal, i.e., of zeal as a Christian grace, is, 1st. The Holy Spirit, as the author of all good. 2d. Spiritual apprehension of the dignity and excellence of its object, whether it be God, the truth, or the Church. Second, it is determined by its concomitants and effects. 1st. False zeal is malignant; true is benevolent. The one is the fervor of an unrenewed mind; the other of a renewed mind. Illustrations of this are, Jesus, and the Jews. 2d. False zeal is proud; true zeal is humble. The former arises often from a sense of superiority which it seeks to vindicate and assert; the latter, from such views of God and things divine as tend to produce humility. 3d. The one is reverent and the other irreverent. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The want of this attribute vitiates, or proves to be spurious, much that passes for religion. 4th. True zeal is connected with a holy life. It is remarkable how often the greatest zealots for God, the Church, and sound doctrine (as they regard it), have been unholy and even immoral in their lives.
III. The duty of zeal.
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This state of mind is demanded by the infinite importance of the interests at stake: the glory of God, the Redeemer’s kingdom, the progress of truth, the salvation of men. To be unconcerned about these things is the greatest sin and evil.
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God, therefore, declares his special abhorrence of the cold and lukewarm.
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Our relation and obligations to God and Christ call for zeal. A child is zealous for its father, a subject for his sovereign, a soldier for his commander, a captive for his redeemer. Our zeal should be proportioned to our obligations.
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Zeal is the chief source, or one of the chief sources of spiritual power. God employs living souls to communicate life. In all ages, men of zeal have produced great results. This qualification, in the absence of others, can accomplish wonders.
IV. Means of cultivating zeal.
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Avoid all pretence or affectation, all expression of more interest than you feel.
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Gather warmth by continual intercourse with God, and cherish the influence of his Spirit.
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Keep your minds filled with the subjects about which you should be zealous, and your attention devoted to them.
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Remember that zeal is a gift of the Holy Spirit; that whatever grieves the Spirit quenches our zeal, and that the more we are filled with the Holy Ghost, the more shall we be filled with godly zeal.
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