Practical Religion - Ryle - IX - Chapter 8

Required reading
Practical Religion by JC Ryle (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Read Chapter 8 (Zeal).

My summary
Now we examine the subject of zeal.

Firstly, Ryle shows us what zeal is in religion: 'Zeal in Christianity is a burning desire to please God, to do His will, and to advance His glory in the world in every possible way.'  He then points us toward the zealous examples of the Apostles, the early Christians, Martin Luther, the English Reformers, missionaries and Jesus himself.

Secondly, we ask the question when is a man truly zealous in religion?  When it is 'Zeal according to knowledge-zeal from true motives-zeal warranted by Scriptural examples-zeal tempered with love-zeal accompanied by deep humility-this is true genuine zeal-this is the kind of zeal which God approves.'

Thirdly, we look at why it is good to be zealous.  Zeal is good for:
(i) a Christian's own soul;
(ii) the church;
(iii) the world.

What grabbed me
Great chapter to stir one up for God!  Particularly liked this quote: 'I do also believe that the Lord takes special pleasure in those who are zealous for Him, in those who give their body, soul, and spirit, to extend His glory in this world. To them He reveals Himself, in a way different than to others. To them He shows things that others never see. He blesses the work of their hands. He commends them with spiritual contentment which others have only heard about. They are people after His own heart, for they are people more like Himself than others. No one has such joy and peace in believing-no one has such tangible contentment in their Christianity-no one has so much of heaven on earth-no one sees and feels so much of the compassion of the Gospel as those who are zealous, serious, devoted Christians. For the sake of our own souls, if there were no other reason, it is good to be zealous, to be very zealous in our Christianity.'

Those who are zealous for God are rewarded in this life with revelations of God that sleepy Christians rarely see. 

May we all be zealous for God!

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 9 (Happiness).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.