Zeal.
I. It is not a quality of nature, but an acquirement of grace, of which the Apostle speaks; for he describes, not what is peculiar to this or that man, but what is common to all converted men. What, then, is zeal for good works? Zeal is intense earnestness in the accomplishment of an object, passionate ardour in the pursuit of it. It is not, therefore, mere excitement of feeling, mere demonstrative warmth of expression, mere quickness of emotion, but something far more deep and enduring. It is a working, practical energy. It is a power which may be directed to things indifferent, to things good, or to things bad. Zeal is force moral force; for it is the great moving power of the world. Force can only arise from an adequate motive, just as the great river is not fed by the scanty summer showers, but gathers its strength from the rains that fall upon a thousand hills.
II. The ultimate spring is love purest, holiest, sweetest, most abiding of all motives, the very essence of true religion, the Alpha and Omega of its power, the one thing which of all earthly things approaches most nearly towards omnipotence, for it is itself the reflection and choicest prerogative of God.
III. Christian zeal must be a steady, permanent force, not transient, not occasional, not flickering up into a vehement flame now and then and dying away again, but like the sun in the midst of the heavens, or like the constant laws of nature that hold sun, moon and stars ever circling round their central God. It measures everything, not by itself, but by the majesty of Him for whom it is done, and who sanctions with His own eternal recompense, even a cup of water given for His sake.
E. Garbett, Experiences of the Inner Life,p. 138.
References: Titus 2:14. C. Garrett, Loving Councils,p. 104; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. ii., No. 70; A. Maclaren, A Year's Ministry,vol. i., p. 221; E. Garbett, Christian World Pulpit,vol. vi., p. 209; H. W. Beecher, Ibid.,vol. xi., p. 37; Preacher's Monthly,vol. i., p. 223.Titus 2:15. J. Thain Davidson, Sure to Succeed,p. 222.Titus 3 Expositor,1st series, vol. viii., p. 215.Titus 3:1-4. J. Oswald Dykes, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 113.Titus 3:1-8. J. W. Lance, Ibid.,vol. xxxi., p. 41.