Verse of the Day 1/19

Through the Bible - Genesis 46-48, Romans 15:14-33

 

Good morning,

We are considering "the true marks of a Christian" in Romans 12.

 

In  "The Centrality of the Gospel", Author Timothy Keller writes , "The main problem in the Christian life is that we have not thought out the deep implications of the gospel, we have not 'used' the gospel in and on all parts of our life."

 

For today's verses we'll continue in Romans 12:

Romans 12:11-13 (English Standard Version)  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

 

or from The Message:

 

Romans 12:11-13 (The Message)  Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 

 

Being burned out comes from running out of energy, you've used up your supply.  Back in verse 2 we were told that we are transformed by the renewing of your mind.  The renewing is a continuing process.  As we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, He will provide renew that energy that will allow us to be "fervent" in spirit.  To be fervent is to literally "boil" in spirit.  Water doesn't do much for rice unless it reaches the boiling point and stays there.  When it does, the rice is changed as well.

 

If we are fervent in spirit, it will show, as Timothy Keller points out, in all parts of our life.  We will be able to "rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, contribute to the needs of the saints, and be inventive in hospitality."

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Romans 12:9-21 (The Message)

 ^9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

 ^11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

 ^14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

 ^17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

 ^20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.