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Our Daily Bread                                        Saturday, June 25 1994

                           ZEALOUS CHRISTIANS

Read: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:11

I read a fable about a dog who loved to chase other animals. He bragged about
his great running skill and said he could catch anything. Well, it wasn't
long until his boastful claims were put to the test byy a rabbit. With ease
the little creature outran his barking pursuer. The other animals, watching
with glee, began to laugh. The dog excused himself, however, by saying "You
forget, folks, that I was only running for fun. He was running for his life!"

Motivation makes a difference in almost everything we do. In fact, it determines
the way believers serve the Lord. Some people serve Him halfheartedly because
they feel obligated. But there are others who serve with urgency and zeal
becuase they recognize the terrible plight of people lost in sin. They are
deeply grateful for God's saving grace in their lives, so they go all out for
the Lord.

That's the kind of zealous motivation the apostle Paul had. He wrote, "Know-
ing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (2 Cor. 5:11). He
the concluded, "We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God"
(V.20). Paul meant business. There was much at stake.

May we too be zealous in serving the Lord! -RWD

                          O make my life one blazing fire
                          Of pure and fervent heart-desire
                          The lost to find, the low to raise,
                   And give them cause Thy name to praise. --Marshall

Bible in one year: 2 Kings 11:1-14:20

Thought for the day:

Christians on fire for God will attract sinners to the light.



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