The Genuine Heart of a Zealot

In this, my second installment of the characteristics of a zealot-a sold out, passionate, disciple of Jesus Christ- I want to explore the call for a zealot to have a genuine heart in all they do. In Romans 12:9-10 the NLT says,

"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with GENUINE affection, and take delight in honoring each other."

We know already that to be a zealot you must be both willing to sacrifice and willing to strive for unity. But as the scripture above plainly points out, we must be driven by love. I felt that these two scriptures center around the motives, the means behind the actions.

(3) Be Compelled by Love
Now this may seem like it can go without saying. But all you have to do is take a look around at the people around you, maybe just a look in the mirror to see, that those who call themselves christians are not often driven by an attitude of love. But if we have a desire to be sold out passionate pursuers of Christ than we need to let our every single action be driven by the love that we have first and foremost for GOD and secondly for others. When we are enraptured in our love for Christ and who he is, a natural overflow is a compassion for those around us. This isnt a love that has you patting yourself on the back for a job well done. This is the love that has you on your hands and knees cleaning feet. The love that gives everything away without any thought of what those around you are thinking. Tell me, do you love like that? Do you love enough to make a fool of yourself to tell the person next to you on the bus that you have the answer they've been looking for? REALLY LOVE THEM. It says. We have to really love them. Really has a simple definition, it means to truly, genuinely and exactly. We must truly and exactly love people. Exactly gives this feeling of doing it on purpose.
When you give something to someone are you hoping a lot of people see it? To test your own motives, try every so often giving a note of appreciation, or a thank you to someone God lays on your heart-and maybe do it anonymously. Cause it doesnt really matter if they know WHO gave it as long as their blessed right? Its all about overflowing God's Love for you to those around you. Please don't think I'm there. I'm still working on it, this is an area I am CONSTANTLY working on-God is calling us to rise up and love with an exact, true and genuine love, one that directs our every action.

(4) Stand on the Side of Good
Sandwiched between two statements about being driven by love we read the statement "Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good." Being a zealot is a thing made up of the same principles found in an adventure or fairy tales. Valor, integrity, and fighting the good fight, fight for good. A ZEALOT needs to do all they can do to assure that what is good wins out. We can't have any allowances for what is wrong. We need to actively stand up for the good that exists in this fallen world and continue to pray into existence the goodness of God. We are image bearers of God, and have pieces of his goodness deposited within us-live to draw that out in others. This needs to translate down to the little things. Integrity means doing everything to the best of your ability. Work, School, dont laugh at dirty jokes. Sound extreme? Sound borderline ridiculous-a zealot is a extreme life. You are not being moderate in how you deal with whats wrong and whats good. You need to take the stand, defend you stance and advance the borders of what is good. You cant ride the fence, realize what is good and do all you can to do you part. Start small and go big. Have heavy heart for justice and goodness in all you do.

A ZEALOT is a life of the extremist, sacrifice, stand side by side with other believers-striving for unity, genuinely love others and fight aggressively for goodness. These traits are daily things we encounter. We have to dive into the day ahead of us trying to live as the ZEALOT God is raising up in his Bride. Let this life bubble out of you and overflow..
May God give you the passion that burns in your heart that drives you to live an undignified life for the one GOD. Teach us what it means to live a life sold out to you!