HOW IMPASSIONED IS YOUR SERVICE?

Romans 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Paul uses three phrases here to beseech us in our service to the Lord. He uses both the negative and the positive. All three phrases relate to each other. Our service to the Lord should not be slothful. We should fervently serve the Lord. Our spirit must be involved in this service. Also, the Lord’s work is the Father’s business. We must remember that it is the Lord we are serving.

Let us define some words and see where they are used in the Bible:

Business – Employment, that which occupies the time, attention, and the labor of men, for the purpose of profit or improvement. (Webster’s 1828)

·       Luke 2:49 And he [Jesus] said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?

·       Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

·       In chapter 12 of Romans Paul has been speaking to us in regard to using our spiritual gifts in loving and building up other people. God has given each of us gifts to use to bring profit and improvement to our church and others, including our brothers and sisters in Christ and those who are lost.

Fervent – Ardent, earnest, excited – We can become fervent in spirit watching a sporting event. The context here is regarding our service to the Lord.  

·       Apollos came to the attention of Aquila and Priscilla due to his being fervent in spirit (Acts 18:25). They then helped him have greater understanding. Apollos was willing to learn from this husband and wife team, and he became a very productive servant of the Lord.

·       Our prayer should be fervent. James 5:16b … The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

·       Our fervent charity assists us in overlooking the faults of others. 1 Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Serving – Working for; yielding obedience to; performing duties; worshiping

·       One of the things that the disciples continued to fail in was to continue to have a servant’s attitude. Paul and Peter both called themselves servants of Jesus Christ. Jesus often set the example of a servant.

·       This is the attitude Jesus wants us to have: Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

·       The Good Addiction: 1 Corinthians 16:15 I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

I encourage you this week to meditate on Romans 12:11 and apply it to your life. Many are getting tired, and some are feeling burnt out. We get our energy from the Lord. He will give you wisdom and strength for everything He wants you to do. Let us serve Him happily together.