In the same week that the sports world was experiencing the NBA All-Star Game and the beginning of MLB Spring Training, who would have thought that the biggest sporting event would have been an international hockey game?
Well, against all odds, that is exactly what happened last night, as Canada topped the United States 3-2 in overtime in a fiery showdown for the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy.
Though hockey has not historically been an extremely popular sport here in the United States, many people were enthralled by the rivalry between the US and Canada. Intense passion was displayed when the teams met during the round-robin portion of the event, with three fights within the first nine seconds of action.
Both teams' passion, zeal, energy, and intensity in their matchups captivated many fans who would have been otherwise disinterested in hockey. People who knew little about the sport were drawn in because they saw people showing uncommon zeal for a particular objective. As a result, fans demonstrated the same level of enthusiasm as they watched the game.
As followers of Jesus, we should always strive to be people characterized by our passion and zeal. Of course, living with zeal is the only logical outcome when we seriously consider what the Lord has done for us.
In His kindness, Jesus sacrificed Himself for the ungodly (Romans 5:6) to reconcile them to God. We were dead in our sins and completely unable to save ourselves, yet Jesus offered us mercy and grace at the price of His own life.
As important as it is to live with passion, energy, and intensity, it would be wrong to think that all kinds of religious zeal are automatically God-honoring. If our passion is not being guided and fueled by the truth, then it is a misguided zeal that isn't pleasing to the Lord.
When writing about the unbelieving Jews in Romans 10:2 (ESV), the Apostle Paul commented, "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge."
Proper understanding must inform our zeal as Christians, which should be fueled by intentional meditation on the truths in God's Word.
The more we consider who God is and what He has done for us in the person and work of Christ, the more we will find ourselves burning with a zeal to live wholeheartedly for His glory.
A perfect example is in 2 Corinthians 7 when Paul discusses the difference between godly and worldly sorrow. Godly sorrow is characterized by being God-centered ("I have dishonored God"), while worldly sorrow is self-centered ("I have caused myself trouble").
Ultimately, Paul concludes his line of reasoning in verse 11 by explaining that the God-centered approach, which is focused upon a correct understanding of who He is, leads to passionate living in the lives of His people:
“For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything, you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter" (2 Corinthians 7:11; NASB).
Today, let's remember that Jesus didn't die so we could be indifferent about what He has done for us. Instead, He died so that we might live with passion and zeal for Him, giving Him glory by the way that we demonstrate our true belief and gratitude for what He has done for us.
"[Christ] gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14; NKJV).
As we live with zeal, others will be attracted to our enthusiasm for Jesus and hopefully drawn to Him.
I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for not being passionate and zealous in my faith. Help me better understand who You are and what You have done for me so I might glorify You by always living with zeal. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
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