Love does not Envy: Part 4

Getting what you want

Part of the problem with envy is that we usually are envious for things we cannot have, such as, our neighbor’s wife, our neighbor’s money, and our neighbor’s Sebring Convertible (opps, that’s what my wife envies). When we desire things we cannot have, it produces a striving inside us. James tells us, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.” (James 4:1-2) Many of our quarrels and conflicts are the result of unfulfilled envy; we want and we cannot have. What if we could have what we want? The key is to change our desires. There are many things that God has promised to give us and, if we choose to desire those things, we will have what we want. Changing our desires is not easy, but it can be done over time. Jesus, speaking of “new wine” reminds us that, “no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’” (Luke 5:39 NKJV) We may not immediately desire the new wine, but it we persist in tasting and drinking it, in time our desire for the new wine will be greater than our desire for the old. The longer we desire the things of the kingdom, the less we will desire the things of the world. Here are some things that God tells us to desire.

“His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house will consume Me.’” (John 2:17)

Jesus had a burning passion for the Father’s house. The Father’s house was where His presence resided. We should desire and be passionate for the presence of the Lord. Our passion should cause us to shun everything that distracts from and diminishes the value of His presence. Our zeal should burn against dead religion and for the very presence of God. Our zeal for His house will not go unrewarded. James assures us to confidently “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

“Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)

In several places, Paul commands us to “earnestly desire” spiritual gifts. This is the same word that is often translated as “be zealous.” It is not only our privilege, but also our responsibility to operate in the gifts of the Spirit. Our desire is not for our benefit, but for the benefit of all. Paul tells us that “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7) Our desire for spiritual gifts is motivated out of our own realization that, without His Spirit, we have nothing to give, but with the Holy Spirit, we have power. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“For I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.” (2 Corinthians 9:2)

We should be zealous to share with others in need. We should realize that our provision has not been give to us for ourselves alone, but to be shared with those in need. To some God gives abundance that they might supply the needs of those who have little. “For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality -- at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; as it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack.’” (2 Corinthians 8:13-15)

“For I am zealous for you with zeal of God, for I did betroth you to one husband, a pure virgin, to present to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2 YLT)

We should be zealous to see others come to know Christ and to walk in His ways. Our zeal should motivate us to pray for them and to share God’s good news with them. In our zeal we should leave behind judgments and instead seek to serve others in the meekness of humility.

“Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:14)

We should be zealous for good works. We should be ready for and looking for opportunities to express the love of God through good deeds done for others. Paul reminds us that it was for this very purpose that we were created. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19)

We should be zealous for rightness with God. When we sin, we should be quick to repent. We should value our relationship with God as of greater value than anything this world has to offer. Paul put it this way, “More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8)

More to come… David Robison