Redeemed and Zealous

"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."  Titus 2:14.  Jesus Christ gave Himself for us as an offering unto God for our sins.  As He gave Himself, He redeemed us.  Through that redemption comes purification.  Because we are purified by the offering of Christ upon the cross, we are God's special people.  Redemption and purification bring responsibility.  Because we choose to become God's people by accepting His redemption through Christ, we are to become workers that do good.  We are not simply to perform good works, but we are to be zealous of good works.  God wants zeal to be implanted in our hearts.  We have an eagerness to serve.  Because we are zealous, we find joy in service.  There can be no zeal without the joy of service.  We do not serve through obligation.  We realize the great price that God was willing to pay for us.  We understand the love and grace that was necessary for such an offering.  This realization and understanding creates zeal.  We go about doing good.  We seek to make the world a better place.  We long to lift the burdens of others.  We serve because we are redeemed.