Rev. 3:14-22; Zealous for Good Works!

Here are two other terms from the “jealousy/zealous” word family.  It will give similar encouragement to the previous post.  Be zealous but for what is right.

zēleuō (verb): to be eager, earnest

·       Rv 3:19: to Laodicean, be zealous, repent

Put off lukewarmness, apathy, laziness, etc. and put on zeal.  But only by the Holy Spirit, by a focus on Christ.  The Laodiceans needed to come to Christ for their “worth” (3:18).  And note: repentance requires zeal!

zēlos (noun): zeal, jealousy

·       Jn 2:17: of Jesus, "the zeal of my house has eaten me up"

·       Ac 5:17: priests, etc, filled w/jealousy, put apostles in jail

·       Ac 13:45: Jews at Antioch filled w/jealousy, oppose Paul (these two illustrations of being “filled with jealousy” remind us that believers are called to be “filled with the Holy Spirit,” Eph. 5:18.)

·       Ro 10:2: Jews have zeal for God but no acc. to wisdom

·       Ro 13:13: jealousy linked w/strife & w/flesh (v14)

·       1Co 3:3: Corinthians are fleshly; jealousy, strife (eridi) & division prove it (again, throughout this note the connection between jealousy and strife.)

·       2Co 7:7: Titus told Paul of their earnest desire for him

·       2Co 7:11: their godly repentance brought zeal

·       2Co 9:2: zeal to give of Corinthians provoked many others

·       2Co 11:2: Paul jealous w/godly jealousy

·       2Co 12:20: jealousy linked w/debates, wrath, strife, backbiting, whisperings, conceit, disorders

·       Gal 5:20: jealousy is a work of the flesh (inc hatred, strife, wrath, factions, seditions, heresies)

·       Phil 3:6: Paul's zeal for Judaism seen in his persecution of the church

·       Hb 10:27: sinners look for God's fiery indignation

·       Jas 3:14: if you have bitter jealousy & strife in your hearts, don't glory & lie against the truth

·       Jas 3:16: where envyings & strife are their = confusion, every evil work. Context: jealousy, strife are part of earthly, sensual demonaical wisdom.

“Father, may we be filled with Your Spirit so that we will have His fruit, the fruitful righteousness of Christ.  By your Spirit and through the Word help us to see the difference between our excited motivations and the Spirit power.  In Jesus name and for His sake. Amen!”