Philemon 21–Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 

If you had the opportunity to be around a number of different children, than you know that all of them carry a certain zeal to excel in what they’re good at.  My youngest daughter loves art/decorating.  So if I tell her to clean her room, she makes it special with pillows aligned, and decorations everywhere.  Whereas my oldest, he could care less about anything being neat in his room, and struggles to do what is required. But if I suggest he practice more at a sport he’s in, he relentlessly practices as if he’s getting paid…

In other words, I have great confidence in each of my kids not just doing what is required, when it comes to something they are zealous for.  Because it comes from a desire from the heart, that gives them pleasure.  So obedience is not difficult, they usually go far beyond what I told them to do.

Now how does that translate to us as Christians?  We see people without Christ, go far and beyond what is required in things they are zealous for.  This is why as Christians, the need to be zealous in spirit for the Lord is key (Romans 12:11).  Because there are some days I struggle and may do what is “required”, but because my spirit is not zealous for Jesus, the joy of obedience of any kind feels hard, if not impossible!

Many relationships can be “maintained” by doing what is required, but not many flourish without a passion/zeal to go beyond what is required.  The gospel records that Christ obedience to the Father on the cross was evoked by zeal! (John 2:17)  That in His passion to obey, Jesus died for sinners like me, doing not only what was required, but was perfect in His passion to redeem us from sin and death!

Some days are very hard to passionately obey God, while others seem easier.  But pray to Him to stir up your spirit, that what Romans 8:11 promises to “give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit”, can be experienced for your joy and His glory!

In His Love, Ld