Good day! I have a question for you today…

How are you doing?

I mean really—how is your walk with Jesus Christ going? Are you zealous for the Lord?

Have you taken every thought captive and held it to the light of Scripture? If so, have you then moved forward with a dogmatic and judgmental intensity that appeases the questions in your mind as to whether you’re zealous enough for the Lord? If not, as in the words of R.C. Sproul: “What’s wrong with you people?!”

Now, this is not the way one finds assurance and security—resting peacefully in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, this is a way that many can stir themselves up into a passionate zeal. I know, because I found myself here for a number of years, I fear.

I would say Proverbs 19:2 described me:

“Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.”

I would look at another individual and think to myself: Well, there’s another person who doesn’t think about things the same way I do. They’re not as zealous for the Lord as I believe myself to be. They seemingly don’t weep over the same songs that I weep over as I feel the gravity of what Jesus Christ has done in my life, or like sappy Christian movies.

And I would be grateful for the peace I felt in those moments. The intention of such thoughts was never to place my assurance in such a disposition. Yet I would find myself unsettled when people understood the Bible differently than me.  In fact, dare I say, I would be insecure and uneasy when others held different positions, especially if they weren’t zealous.  Maybe they wouldn’t hold to the same doctrine or live their lives in a manner I deemed inconsistent with the Word of God.

Of course, I desired to take every thought captive. Therefore, I passively believed I was the standard—not because I was without fault, but because I desired to live consistently with the Standard.

It is important to remember here what Galatians 6:4–6 says:

“Each one should test his own work.  Then he will have reason to boast in himself alone, and not in someone else.  For each one should carry his own load.  Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.”

We are to actively examine ourselves in accordance with God’s Word and the fruit being borne in our lives—not by looking at those around us, which only leads to self-deception.

It’s unsettling how quickly such thoughts can shift from one standard to another and suddenly you are the gatekeeper. That leads me to today, where I have grown more aware of the pitfall I’ve laid out for you.

2 Corinthians 13:5 reminds us:

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.  Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you–unless you actually fail the test?”

Scripture reminds us that assurance comes with an active, personal examination brought about by the Holy Spirit, testifying to the reality that Jesus Christ is residing. It does not come through the passive survey of those living out their lives around us who claim to be in Christ—although the Lord can and does use the body of Christ around us to mold us into His image.

Take heed though, if you find yourself in a place of comfortable righteousness and zealous for the Lord, I would call you to remember Philippians 2:12–13:

“Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”

Scripture does not paint a picture of sanctification—resting in our beloved Savior’s arms—as one devoid of fear and trembling.

With knowledge and awareness we can put to death false standards that easily slip into our lives. I, for one, can now recognize and have gratitude when people have convictions different from mine, or live their lives in a way they believe is consistent with the Scriptures (if it submits to Scripture).

I can have humility and consider: Maybe there are thoughts I have not yet taken captive. Maybe they have taken them captive, treading where I have yet to do so. And I can grow as they follow after Christ.

Conversely, maybe there are areas where I have thought through the situation and am living consistently with the Word of God. In those moments, they can grow as I share what the Lord has taught me.

Never become so complacent as to ignore what God has done in the lives of others. Inquire about it. And never sit back and rest in the assurance that you have it figured out, without sharing what the Lord has done in your own life.

It is not only possible, but essential, to pursue a zeal that is secure, informed, and godly.