Perhaps you’ve experienced it… A zealous Christian (or brand new “babe in Christ”) – just really “all in” on their walk with Christ – determined to serve the Lord with all their heart… And their zeal and desire to please the Lord bothers other around them! Perhaps you’ve been tempted to tell them, “Hey back off a bit! Don’t put those around you on a guilt trip!”
Now I know there is such a thing as “legalism” – I’ve encountered it – it reduces the Christian life to nothing but a list of rules. It declares “keeping the rules” will get you into heaven or keep you out! There’s not place for “the grace of God” in the “salvation” they propose – it’s a doctrine of “works righteousness” period!
But “zeal” in serving the Lord and motivation to “please Him with all your heart” is another matter! Tragedy is, it often “convicts” those who are experiencing “spiritual drift” and are serving the lord “half-heartedly.”
Nehemiah, in the Old Testament, was an “I’m all in” kind of Old Testament believer! God’s people had just spent 70 long years in exile in Babylon because of “spiritual drift!” His zeal for the Lord had led him to return to Jerusalem and tackle the daunting task of rebuilding the walls from just a pile of rubble! His zeal for the Lord was infectious – but it was also annoying to the half-hearted!
What bothered Nehemiah, was after rebuilding the walls, evidence of “spiritual drift” and “half-heartedness” in “covenant living” had reappeared (the very things that had resulted in the exile in the first place)! It reappeared in compromises and neglect of the temple, what they did on the “sabbath,” and the people they married (idolatrous pagans)! Read it for yourself in Nehemiah 13!
Nehemiah’s zeal surfaced! He insisted God’s people weren’t going to live that way – half-hearted compromising lives – the spiritual drift had to stop! As a spiritual leader he spoke out and acted! They had to get back to “covenant living” and obedience! It bothered some people, but Nehemiah’s heart was right and his motives pure!
In fact, on three occasions in Nehemiah this was his prayer: “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for His service!” (vs. 14) “Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of Your steadfast love!” (vs.. 22) And finally in verse 31; “Remember me, O my God, for good!”
Hey there’s a difference between “legalism” – and faith produced, love generated, zeal! I am convinced Nehemiah exhibited the latter! And when a fellow Christian or brand new believer expresses authentic love generated, faith produced zeal… don’t resent them, or accuse them of “legalism”… pay attention to them! They may be calling you (and your Christian friends) back to “covenant living!”
Coffee With The Lord 