Zeal Can Be Misdirected

"Formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man," wrote Saul after his conversion, when he was better know as Paul.  "Nevertheless, I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith."  (1 Timothy 1:13)  Being sincere and active in one's religion, therefore, is not guarantee of having God's approval.  Saul was zealous and acted according to conscience, but that did not make him right.  His fiery zeal was misdirected.  (Compare Romans 10:2, 3.) That should make us reflect.

Many today are firmly convinced that good conduct is all that God requires of them.  But is it? Each one would do well to listen to Paul's exhortation:  "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine."  (1 Thessalonians 5:21)  That means taking time to acquire  accurate knowledge of God's Word of truth and then living in full harmony with it.  If we realize from examining the Bible that we have changes to make, then we should by all means make them without delay.  Perhaps few of us were ever blasphemers, persecutors, or insolent men to the extent Saul was.  Nevertheless, only by acting according to faith and accurate knowledge can we, like him, gain God's favor. -John 17:3, 17.

Next time: Compassion in a Cruel World

The Watchtower, 1999