When Jealousy is Good
Scripture Reading: Romans 11:11-14
So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean! Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
Normally, we think of jealousy as a sin. Rightfully so, because normally it is. Nevertheless, here Paul says he is aiming to provoke jealousy in his fellow Jews. He wants them to feel a tinge of jealousy as they observe the blessings of God coming to the Gentiles as they come to faith in Christ.
The Jews were the people of the promises. They were the Old Testament covenant people of God. So, it was for good reason that they considered themselves the particular recipients of God’s blessings. Paul’s point is that if they were to see God’s blessings being poured out on the Gentiles it would stir a kind of jealousy in them that would turn them toward Christ.
The message of the gospel must be shared as a means to bring people to faith in Christ. What I mean is the gospel must be proclaimed. At the same time, it is not out of order to say that living a good and godly life has an important role in our evangelistic efforts. It is not one or the other. Verbal proclamation and a holy example are not mutually exclusive.
If we live good lives, if we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, if we receive the blessings of God in tangible ways those outside the kingdom might well take notice and feel a bit of good jealousy, the kind of jealousy that would move them to join us in the kingdom of God.
When Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” this is the kind of thing he meant. There is a good kind of jealousy.
May the Lord use us to provoke that in the hearts of those who observe our lives.