Zealous for Good

13 Who will harm you if you are zealous for good? 14 But happy are you, even if you suffer because of righteousness! Don’t be terrified or upset by them. 15 Instead, regard Christ the Lord as holy in your hearts. Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope, be ready to defend it. 16 Yet do this with respectful humility, maintaining a good conscience.

(1 Peter 3:13–16)

Zealous for Good

Good Day Family,

I’ve had a number of conversations lately, within and beyond our congregation, about how angry our world has become. Lack of compassion, impatience, and rage seem to dominate our responses to one another. That does not reflect Jesus life and example nor does it conform with the command to love our neighbor as ourselves. Sadly, identification as a Christian does not seem to make the difference in behavior or attitude. How have we collectively lost our way?

I think we’ve lost our zeal for good. The early church was under real attack, and yet, they maintained their joy in the Lord. That fed their spirits and fueled their interactions with each other as well as the world. They weren’t committed in a passive or neutral way. Their entire beings—mind, body, and spirit—were on fire for God and the way of God.

It’s the better way, and when we choose it, we make our world better. We spread the good news, and we embody the good news. We love, and we love, and we love.

Zealously,

Be well,

Pastor Cheryl

Let us encourage one another. Let us love our neighbor. Let us be the church.