We want to do big things for God.

Agree or disagree? Good desire? Bad desire? 

If you asked me, I think I would circle both. I would definitely want some further explanation. 

First of all, motive. Why do we want to do big things for God? Asking that question isn’t just about being picky. God designed our salvation in such a way that we would only boast in Him. So, being motivated to do big things for God to earn God’s approval or to gain a reputation for oneself is actually sinful and dangerous. 

Second, content. What do we mean by big things? Jesus was constantly trying to teach his followers this lesson. Giving a cup of cold water to someone in his name doesn’t seem big, but to Jesus it was. When Jesus taught his disciples about greatness, he talked about being the least. What’s big to us isn’t always big to God and what seems insignificant to us isn’t always insignificant at all. 

Third, reality. I mean, there is a book called Ecclesiastes in the Bible! And Ecclesiastes makes it very clear whether we do big things or small things, we die in the end. 

But now that I’ve nuanced this question to death, God is great, Jesus did die for us, life is short, and we totally should want to use the life we have to do whatever we can to put God’s glory on display. 

In Titus 2:14, Paul puts it like this: Christ Jesus…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. 

In case you missed the part I wanted to stress, I just went back and bold-printed it.  Jesus died that we might be zealous. It deserves further explanation, but for now, at the very least, zealous means something like passionate. Obviously, we all have different personalities. But, regardless of our personality, as believers, we should be people ON FIRE for doing good for the glory of Jesus.  

Are we? 

Some days maybe. Other days not so much. But, this is part of why we gather together every week as a church. We are coming together to be transformed by God as we see the glory of Jesus and our salvation on display.

You can get people excited about lots of things.

But true biblical zeal is produced by knowledge and enjoyment of Christ.