Verse of the Day 9/12

 

Romans 12:11   Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Today's verse reminds me of the book of Proverbs where within the span of a few words we have images of a stark contrast.  In this verse the comparison is between being slothful and being fervent.  The word slothful paints a picture of being slow moving, lazy, and complacent, perhaps being paralyzed by indecision. 

 

Sometimes I know in my life, especially around the house, I may notice that something may need repair or could use some attention.  It may not be a major thing and because of that I walk past it day after day, waiting for a good time to take care of it once and for all but it never gets done.  We can be the same way towards spiritual things, opportunities to serve may come our way but we are to caught up in the day to day to take the time, and the opportunity has soon passed.

 

Being fervent paints a picture of activity, literally boiling over.  Between freezing and boiling water looks pretty much the same at various temperatures.  But when it reaches the boiling point, things change.  The water is visibly changed, it bubbles and produces steam.  Steam can be powerful and is useful, it can produce energy to power engines and turbines which in turn produce a greater energy.  So it should be in our spiritual life. 

 

What do others see when they look at us?  Are we average, normal every day looking water or even frozen or are we boiling over?

 

John Piper writes that " When Jonathan Edwards was still a young man he wrote seventy resolutions. I think the sixth resolution captures the meaning of Paul's words, "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit." Edwards wrote: "Resolved: To live with all my might while I live."

 

Jeremiah 29:13-14 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," New International Version (NIV)

 

May we be willing and strive to "live with all our might while we live" to serve and honor God with our hearts "fueled and aflame" (The Message below).

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Romans 12:10-13

The Message (MSG)

^9-10 Love 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.

^11-13 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.