Zeal as a motivation for good

Dear friend

If someone were to call you a zealot you might not be too happy. Zealots were a sect among the Jews who were known for their strict focus on the law. Their determination in this direction has led to a negative connotation to the name zealot. It is rarely a compliment.

However, the scriptures are very encouraging of zeal as a characteristic. For example from the New Testament, Galatians 4:18.

18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

The Apostle Paul clearly approves of zeal as a motivating force. I think his generic "good thing" category of potential positive activities can refer to such uses of our time as regular prayer, scripture study, giving service to others, or any other "good" pursuit.

The etymology of zeal includes Middle English, late Latin and Greek, as well as biblical sources. It is described as fervour, ardent love, or longing in relation to some type of pursuit. That doesn't sound too negative. In fact, we could maybe all do with this kind of unfailing commitment to continuing in Paul's good things.

Without using the word zeal, I believe this verse encapsulates the spirit of righteous zeal. It is from Doctrine and Covenants 58:27.

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

I believe it is central to the reasons for our being on the earth that we are anxious to do good works. If we follow Jesus Christ then we must recognise that is what He did everywhere He went. I think there are more good things we could choose to do than there is time to do them. So it should be easy to find good activities to pursue to use up our time on earth.

I hope we can become positively zealous when it comes to doing the good things. This doesn't mean we become obsessive or self-righteous. We should try to develop an infectious zeal that motivates others. Zeal is good for doing good.

Samuel.