An Artificial Earthquake
Recently during soccer’s World Cup, Mexico scored a goal against the reigning champion, Germany. The citizens of Mexico City were celebrating so much that they actually triggered a measurable reaction on the earthquake scale. The seismic monitoring officials said the celebrants created and “artificial earthquake!” What excitement?! What earth shaking zeal?!
What if Christians were more excited about being more like Jesus than they were excited about being like the world? That is what the Apostle Paul is addressing in Galatians 4:18 But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
I enjoy sports; soccer, baseball, basketball, etc. But as fun as these sports can be – they are just games. Just temporary. Just leather-bound balls of cork or air being chased around a field or court. That is it. Would God help each of us be more excited about the things of God! Paul went on to say what this zealously affect would have in verse 19, My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.
Paul wanted to see the Christians be more like Jesus. That was his goal. He was not in Galatia when he wrote this letter. He wanted to be with them at church. He wanted to preach to them personally, but he was not able to do so for the moment. His goal in his relationship with them was that they would become more like Jesus.
We should not try to cause an artificial earthquake at Bible study or in our church services; but we should be excited about being more like Jesus. Ask the Lord to give you “zeal according to knowledge!”
EDC Christian 