I have zeal a lot of things... coffee, a new book, watching my kids play soccer, Christmas lights, (I always regret this zeal in January when I have to take them down.), dark chocolate caramels, romantic comedies, and I'm sure I am forgetting some really important ones. for the sake of time, your time, I will get to the point.
Being zealous is defined as showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of something or someone. I have not ever been accused of lacking enthusiasm...not once that I can remember. to be fair, I drink a lot of coffee. I definitely show great energy for things I love, but God got my attention with something else I should be zealous for.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.“
Revelation 3:19 ESV
Zealous and repent, now those are two words you don't see together everyday.
We should be zealous for repentance, zealous to confess our sins. Why? Because there is mercy and no judgement. We humans really can't seem to wrap our head around that. We hate confession, when we should be eager, even enthusiastic to confess our sins.
I think the reason is that we really can't imagine that God is not people. When we confess to people, they are often passive aggressive or condescending. God is never, ever like that, and He is the only person with the right to be.
If we could just really get a grasp on the first part of this verse, I think it would change everything. "Those whom God loves", repentance is ushered in by love. We run back to God when we realize His perfect love. God's kindness is meant to bring us to repentance, to turn around from our way and God back to walking with Him. God loves us so much, He doesn't just want heaven for us, He wants renewal to start now.
”The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!“
Revelation 3:19 MSG
