Teaching Apollos.

I try to find Jesus in every scripture I read. I need to. It’s worthless without Him. I am worthless without Him.  But at times, for me, it’s sometimes hard to see Jesus in such bold characters as Apollos. What fervency, what zeal, what knowledge, what PASSION. At times, dynamic men like the inferior moon can appear eclipse the light of Sun–for the most part unintentionally… But Jesus is there… If you look close enough…

“Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit,[d] he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

Apollos knew the baptism of John, the need for repentance, the knowledge of sin. He knew that Jesus needed to come. He knew the duties of child of God. He knew the commandments and how miserably short we fall. But to be taught more accurately is to be taught to see the testimony of Jesus in the scriptures. Zeal is nothing without the right message. 

Zeal is nothing without the correct message

The abhorrence of sin is crucial, yes. Sin is evil. Sin is a direct offense to God, Himself, the Maker of the universe, Sustainer of life, and the perfect Judge of evil. But even abstinence from sin, without love to God is atrocious. It is a vile stench, and tragic betrayal. 

God does not want fearful servants more than He wants obedient children. The awe of God comes from the love of God. The more accurate message is Christ, and Christ crucified. Christ risen, and Christ exalted. Christ enthroned, and Christ returning.

Awe of God comes from the love of God.

Why is Christ so important, some may ask, to the obedience to God? Some may argue that if anything, the work of Christ would free us from obedience. Some may say that anything other than this would be an attempt to seek self-righteousness. And I fear that some love the relief of burden more than the Giver of relief.

Jesus gives us the means to love God. Jesus gives us the basis on why to love God. Jesus loves us before we can ever love Him. And my point is this: Love of God produces obedience to God. And obedience to God without love to God, is hardly possible at best (and amounting to nothing if achieved).

Jesus gives us the means to love God.

The words of Spurgeon cut to the heart on this matter:

“When I regarded God as a tyrant, I thought sin a trifle; but when I knew him to be my father, then I mourned that I could ever have kicked against him. When I thought that God was hard, I found it easy to sin; but when I found God so kind, so good, so overflowing with compassion, I smote upon my breast to think that I could ever have rebelled against one who loved me so, and sought my good.” 

Apollos learned something that day… He learned he is no longer a servant, but a friend. He learned God would serve him before he could serve God. And he learned that pleasure in God is possible–no, pleasure in God is ESSENTIAL in obeying God.

And may we learn this lesson this day… everyday… New mercies are presented daily… May we ravenously feast on them. May we zealously love God.