Zeal

J. I. Packer,  A Passion for Faithfulness

 

Are we clear what zeal is?  It is not fanaticism; it is not wildness; it is not irresponsible enthusiasm; it is not any form of pushy egoism.  It is, rather, a humble, reverent, businesslike, single-minded commitment to the hallowing of God’s name and the doing of His will.

 

          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, wholehearted, fervent in spirit.  He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for 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 men, or whether he gives offense – whether he is thought wise, or whether he is thought foolish – whether he gets honor, 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.

 

          J. C. Ryle, Practical Religion