Guest Post by Dane Ortlund
Zeal is dangerous (Rom. 10:2; Phil 3:6). It is also crucial (Titus 2:14; Rev. 3:19).
Defibrillating words on the right kind of zeal from J. C. Ryle, preaching on Gal. 4:18–
A zealous man in religion is pre-eminently a man of one thing.
It is not enough to say that he is earnest, hearty, uncompromising, thorough-going, whole-hearted, fervent in spirit. He sees only one thing, he cares for one thing, he lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please God.
Whether he lives, or whether he dies–whether he has health, or whether he has sickness–whether he is rich, or whether he is poor–whether he pleases man, or whether he gives offense–whether he is thought wise, or whether he is thought foolish–whether he gets blame, or whether he gets praise–whether he gets honor, or whether he gets shame–for all this the zealous man cares nothing at all. He burns for one thing; and that one thing is to please God, and to advance God’s glory.
If he is consumed in the very burning, he cares not for it–he is content. He feels that, like a lamp, he is made to burn; and if he is consumed in burning, he has but done the work for which God appointed him.
–J. C. Ryle, Home Truths (4th ed.; London: Wertheim, MacIntosh, & Hunt, 1859), 227-28; italics original
“One thing have I asked of the LORD . . .” -Ps. 27:4
“. . . but one thing is necessary.” -Luke 10:42
“But one thing I do . . .” -Phil. 3:13
