HOW TO SUSTAIN YOUR ZEAL FOR THE LORD

 Rev.Michael Benson Ajayi.

Hebrews 12:3 AMP "Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds."
        All it would have required of God to remedy the confusion caused by sin and evil on earth was to annihilate Satan and humanity and start the process of creation afresh but then He would have no justifiable reason to speak of the virtues of tolerance, patience and self-control. These are necessary given that the earth was not created perfect but with room for improvements. At creation, the scriptures says God saw everything as 'good'  the scriptures did not say 'perfect'. Perfection leaves no room for improvement as exemplified in death. 
        Jesus identified with our imperfections for salvation to make sense  , Hebrews 5:8 says "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;" The word 'learned' is the Greek  word 'manthano' meaning to 'learn in any way,understand'. In other words,  to be spiritually informed one has to overcome stereotypes and be open to relevant information from other sources other than what one is familiar with. Truth can only be established after considering all possible variables, therefore, one shouldn't be afraid to ask questions with regards to doctrinal beliefs: this is key to receiving understanding and stability.
        In other to sustain one's zeal in the lord ,the word of God (truth) should be our most treasured asset. What a man treasures mostly dominates  his mind and determines his behavior and one cannot prefer the world’s system above the lord and expect to be zealous for Him, the reverse should be the case (Matthew 6:21,24). Our affection should be for heavenly virtues such as righteousness, peace and joy in the presence of God , this is what makes the lord worth serving. Man's achievement  is aimed at the attainment of peace which is illusive in the world but freely given by the lord to those whose heart are set on Him. Isaiah 26:3 says "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee"
           Serving God isn't a fruitless venture, it comes with rewards here and in the afterlife.There is a crown of life to be given to those who have endured temptations for Christ sake (James 1:12,Heb 10:35) .It is our sincere love and faith in Him that keeps us from falling into temptation.  Jude1:24 says "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present  you  faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy," God is able to keep us from falling.
           His word in our hearts has the capacity to destroy evil appetites, therefore, we should daily memorize and meditate on God's word and by so doing the power of righteousness in the word of God will overwhelm our thinking and behavior leading us away from sin ( Psalm119:9,11)for example, a couple struggling with insecurities in their marriage could both meditate on Galatians 5:21 and 1Cor.13:4-8 ,  these scriptures if well thought on for at least  forty days, have the capacity to demolish the evil structures in any marriage.
       The enemy is after our minds,he knows our thoughts determines our actions: for as a man thinks so is he,therefore we should consciously avoid vain thoughts (Psalm119:113,2cor10:5) and imaginations which exalt themselves against God’s word. For example, declaring 'greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world and God has given me power to trample upon the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt me nor my family ' removes fear of demons, witchcraft and evil prophesies,also declaring" the lord is my shepherd, I have no need and He shall supply my need according to His riches in glory and i am not moved by what I see " removes the fear of poverty and saying "I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. " eliminates the hunger for immorality:  this process is what is known as spiritual warfare. It involves using the scriptures as a shield against Satan's attacks on our minds. Refusal to speak the word of God  out of laziness or ignorance is what leads to the loss of zeal for the lord and indulgence in sin.
        We must hold on to a strong conviction about Jesus' trustworthiness and not oscillate between various religions doctrines, truth is singular and objective therefore, there can't be other options to salvation (1Kings 18:21,John6:67-68). Make up your mind to serve Jesus regardless of the circumstances.None of the world's religious leaders ever demonstrated the magnitude of love for us as shown by Jesus and none came to take away sins, they were all sinners but Jesus was without sin. Building a strong conviction requires separating oneself from persons who may want to entice us into a life of error ( Psalm 1:1-2 Proverbs 13:20,2Thess 3:6) this requires a strong resolve to endure hardship (Hebrews 11:24-25,2Tim2:3) memories of past victories makes such decisions easy ( Galatians.3:4,Heb.10:32) considering the fact that no present pleasure by sinners can be compared to eternal punishment and a life of misery that lies ahead  in their future  (2pet 2:20) .
             Choose to live a godly and contented life and you will stand in the midst of  temptation (phil4:11). Avoid being competitive with worldly persons and you'll be at peace with God because an addiction to the  world's selfish system is enmity with God.  As you read this now receive grace for increase in your zeal for the house of the lord in Jesus name.
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Email :Michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com.