Peter knew that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered unclean (Acts 10:9-16), and he demonstrated this by eating with them. However, when some prominent Jews arrived, Peter “withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” He knew better but allowed fear to cause him to rebel against the clear teachings of the Lord. As such, Peter “was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11), and Paul had to rebuke him. It is one thing for a man to sin against the Lord through ignorance, but Peter knowingly, purposely, and openly violated God’s word. In like manner, believers today must bear the blame and the shame when they sin against the clear teachings of scripture.
The Bible introduces the apostle Paul as he was expending all of his energies to persecute the church of God. Yet, once the Lord saved him, he spent the remainder of his life attentively protecting the testimony of the ministry. Paul was in a unique position that would have enabled him to give the ministry a bad name (see the things he faced as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30). Instead, he worked hard to give “no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.” He proved himself as the minister of God. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer men today are exhibiting the level of character expected of them by God. Far too many preachers of the gospel are living their lives with little concern for how it impacts the ministry and the cause of Christ..
It is not an inconsequential matter to be called of God to serve Him. In that service, there are certain things that benefit every believer regardless of position or office held. Yet, the Bible emphasizes an even higher qualification for living for those called to an office within the New Testament church. According to Titus 1:6-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-2, a man who desires the office of a bishop must, among other things, be blameless. This blamelessness (absence of blame) should extend to his home (1 Timothy 3:2, 4-5), to his dealings with other believers (1 Timothy 3:2-3), and to his dealings with the world (1 Timothy 3:7). The Lord gave similar qualifications for those who would serve in the office as a deacon (1 Timothy 3:10).
Believers should be zealous of good works, but their zeal must not spring from a position of ignorance. The Bible points to the Jews as a zealous people, but their zeal was not according to knowledge. Nobody worked harder trying to reach a righteous state than did the Jews. However, they failed to realize that true righteousness comes as an unmerited gift from God. Yet, the Jews were “ignorant of God's righteousness,” and went “about to establish their own righteousness” (Romans 10:3). Paul repeatedly testified concerning the futility of trying to earn God's favour through one’s own efforts (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:6). Before Paul came to know Christ, he thought he should fight against Christ’s followers and zealously persecute the church of God. He even placed many of the new believers into prison and caused their deaths. Yet, he declared that all this was done in ignorance (1 Timothy 1:13). He, like the Jews, had a tremendous zeal, but that zeal was not according to knowledge.
Zeal involves a fervent desire to accomplish some particular feat. The Bible tells us that Christ died on the cross to redeem a people who would then become zealous of good works. Every Christian should strive to be zealous in his service to the Lord. Many believers during periods of great persecution zealously gave their lives for the gospel’s sake. Acts 15:26 tells of men who “hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These people recognized that they were no longer their own but God’s. They had been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and willingly sealed that testimony with their own blood. The more the enemies of God persecuted them, the more freely the gospel spread.
