Topical Bible: Affections: should be Zealously Engaged for God

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In the Christian life, affections are the deep-seated emotions and desires that drive one's actions and commitments. The Bible emphasizes that these affections should be zealously engaged for God, reflecting a heart fully devoted to Him. This engagement is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate and passionate pursuit of God's will and purposes.

Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures provide numerous examples and exhortations regarding the proper engagement of affections towards God. In Deuteronomy 6:5, the command is clear: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This verse underscores the totality of devotion expected from believers, where every aspect of one's being is directed towards loving God.

The Psalms often reflect a heart passionately engaged with God. Psalm 42:1-2 expresses a deep longing for God: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God." This imagery of thirst and longing illustrates the intensity of affection that believers are to have for their Creator.

New Testament Exhortations

In the New Testament, the call to engage affections zealously for God is reiterated. Jesus Himself emphasized the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’" This commandment encapsulates the essence of a life wholly devoted to God, where affections are not divided but singularly focused on Him.

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 12:11, encourages believers to be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." This fervency is a reflection of zeal, an intense and passionate commitment to God's service. Paul’s own life exemplified this zeal, as he declared in Philippians 3:8, "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

Practical Implications

Engaging affections zealously for God involves both internal and external expressions. Internally, it requires a heart that treasures God above all else, as seen in Matthew 6:21: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Externally, it manifests in actions that align with God's will, such as obedience, worship, and service.

The early church provides a model of such engagement. Acts 2:42 describes the believers as devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. Their affections were clearly directed towards God and His community, resulting in a vibrant and growing church.

Challenges and Encouragement

While the call to zealously engage affections for God is clear, believers often face challenges such as distractions, competing desires, and spiritual apathy. The Bible offers encouragement and guidance to overcome these obstacles. Hebrews 12:1-2 advises believers to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles," and to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."

The promise of God's presence and strength is a source of encouragement. Philippians 4:13 assures believers, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This divine empowerment enables believers to maintain their zeal and devotion, even amidst trials and temptations.

Conclusion

The engagement of affections zealously for God is a central theme in the Christian life, calling for a wholehearted devotion that permeates every aspect of one's being. Through Scripture, believers are encouraged and equipped to cultivate a fervent love for God, resulting in a life that glorifies Him and fulfills His purposes.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 69:9
For the zeal of your house has eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached you are fallen on me.
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Psalm 119:139
My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten your words.
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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.
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Library

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
... What am I, that I should have those ... A soul encompassed with mercy is zealously active
in ... It quickens their affections, strengthens their graces, mortifies ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the best things work for.htm

Introduction
... the will invested with liberty, the affections like musical ... capable of glory, oh
how zealously industrious should ... of their Lord and Master, should take all ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/1 introduction.htm

A Serious Persuasive to Such a Method of Spending Our Days as is ...
... in having such a command of your thoughts, affections, and actions ... heart and life
had been too zealously devoted to ... on the other hand, if death should make more ...
/.../chapter xx a serious persuasive.htm

The Institution of Deacons, and the History of Stephen.
... he often permits selfishness to cramp the best affections of his ... the face of an angel,
if he should become visible ... "It is good to be zealously affected always ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture viii the institution of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... as he had frequently felt similar affections, and, by ... impressed on his mind he should
never meet ... the itinerancy, and was again zealously engaged in promoting ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

A More Particular view of the Several Branches of the Christian ...
... divine things may be quick, your affections ready to ... as you can influence, by which
God should be offended ... and your Father." You will be "zealously affected in ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xiv a more particular.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1800, to the End of ...
... minister who was present, and zealously engaged in promoting its ... any control over
their understandings and affections. ... of truth, the other should be equally ...
/.../chapter 5 from the close.htm

Preface to the Present Edition.
... Here, besides discharging zealously and edifyingly the duties of the ... scope for the
exercise of Acts and Affections. ... the spiritual life, the soul should be well ...
/.../preface to the present edition.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... It does not destroy but balance the affections, which the ... to every soul that God
hath made, should be pained ... can they avoid this, who are zealously attached to ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 22 upon our lords.htm

The Life of Mr. William Guthrie.
... him, and introducing himself to their affections, and in ... love to Jesus Christ, which
zealously inspired them ... Maker, though never so much hazard should attend it ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr william 2.htm