Unlikely Associates

Romans 10:2

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

In the Scriptures, God has some unlikely associates that often don't seem to work together. For instance, there is grace and truth. Often, truth does not have grace when it is implemented, and grace often lacks truth which leads to compromise. God wants grace and truth to work together. There is strength and beauty. You never think of people of strength being beautiful, and you never think of people who are beautiful having strength. However, God wants both strength and beauty in his sanctuary. Though these associates are unlikely, God wants them both because together they can make His sanctuary a better place.

In the verse above, there are several types of people represented. For instance, there are apathetic people represented in this verse. These apathetic people have no zeal and are unemotional and cold with no fire when it comes to serving God. You have ignorance represented in this verse; people who have no knowledge about God’s Word or of God. You also have knowledgeable people represented in this verse; people who have the facts, information, and skills taught in God’s Word. You also have zealous people in this verse; people who are passionate about serving God.

God makes it clear that He wants the unlikely associates of zeal and knowledge in His children. The people in this verse had a zeal of God, but their zeal was without knowledge. They were zealous about God, but they were zealous with no knowledge, which made them zealous for the wrong thing. The unlikely associates of zeal and knowledge are critical to doing the LORD’s work in a right manner and with the passion that He desires. Let me share a few thoughts about the importance of these unlikely associates.

First, you must have knowledge to keep zeal in check. Zealous people without knowledge often hurt the work of the LORD. They mean well, but you often have to clean up after them because they make a mess everywhere they go. Don't get me wrong, I would rather have a zealous person than an apathetic, cold, indifferent person who doesn't care about anything for God. Knowledge tells zeal how to do what is right. Knowledge directs zeal’s energy so that zeal accomplishes more for God. Everyone needs to have a great knowledge of God and His Word, but knowledge without zeal makes knowledge unappetizing to the lost.

Second, you must have zeal to keep knowledge from filling you with pride. Knowledgeable people without zeal will hurt the work of the LORD just like zealous people without knowledge will hurt it. Zeal is critical because it is energy. A person with no zeal teaching the knowledge of God’s Word will cause people not to want to learn anything about God’s Word. However, a person with zeal or energy as they teach knowledge makes people want to know more about knowledge. Zeal is the energy and excitement that makes knowledge appetizing to those listening.

If I were to choose which one you should get first, I would tell you to get knowledge before zeal, but while getting knowledge, be sure that you get zeal. Zeal will come from applying knowledge through service. When you see what God’s Word will do to lives, it will not be hard to become zealous AS you apply knowledge. You will find God can do more through you as you serve Him with knowledge and zeal.