The affections, as understood within the Christian tradition, refer to the emotional and spiritual inclinations of the heart and mind. These affections are not merely passive feelings but are active forces that drive a believer's actions and decisions. The Bible emphasizes that these affections should be zealously engaged for God, reflecting a wholehearted devotion and commitment to His will and purposes.

Biblical Foundation

The call to engage one's affections zealously for God is rooted in the greatest commandment as articulated by Jesus in the Gospels. In Matthew 22:37 , Jesus declares, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’" This commandment underscores the comprehensive nature of the love and devotion expected from believers, encompassing every aspect of their being.

Zeal for God

Zeal, a fervent and enthusiastic devotion, is a key aspect of engaging one's affections for God. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this zeal in his ministry. In Romans 12:11 , he exhorts believers to "be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." This fervency is not a mere emotional high but a sustained commitment to serving God with passion and dedication.

The Old Testament also provides examples of zeal for God. Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, is commended for his zeal in Numbers 25:11 , where God says, "Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites, for he was zealous for My sake among them." His actions demonstrate a deep commitment to God's holiness and commands.

Guarding the Affections

While zeal is commendable, it must be directed and guarded to ensure it aligns with God's truth and righteousness. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This guarding involves aligning one's affections with the teachings of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament warns against misplaced zeal. In Romans 10:2 , Paul speaks of the Israelites, saying, "For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge." This highlights the importance of grounding zeal in a correct understanding of God's Word.

Expressions of Zealous Affections

Engaging affections zealously for God manifests in various ways, including worship, service, and obedience. Worship is a primary expression, as seen in Psalm 42:1 , "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God." This imagery captures a deep, earnest longing for communion with God.

Service to others is another expression of zealous affections. Galatians 5:13 encourages believers, "Serve one another in love." This service is not out of obligation but flows from a heart passionately devoted to God and His people.

Obedience to God's commands is a further demonstration of zealous affections. Jesus states in John 14:15 , "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Obedience is the natural outflow of a heart fully engaged in love for God.

Challenges and Encouragement

Believers may face challenges in maintaining zeal, such as spiritual complacency or external opposition. The church in Laodicea is admonished in Revelation 3:15-16 for being lukewarm, a state that God finds displeasing. This serves as a warning to remain fervent and committed.

Encouragement comes from the promise of God's presence and empowerment. Philippians 2:13 assures, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This divine assistance enables believers to sustain their zeal and engage their affections fully for God.

In summary, the affections should be zealously engaged for God, reflecting a life of passionate devotion, grounded in truth, and expressed through worship, service, and obedience.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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:139
My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten your words.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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

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