Not Slothful and Fervent Serving the Lord Romans 12:11

Paul the apostle told the believing people in Rome to, “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good”, and he added, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another”. In chapter twelve and verse eleven of Romans, Paul shared with his believing readers about being, “Not slothful”, “fervent” and “serving the Lord” where we read:

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

The verse begins, “Not slothful in business;” Paul began with the words, “not slothful” which means “not sluggish, backward, irksome, tardy, indolent and grievous” “in business” or “with haste, earnest care, diligence and interest most earnestly”. Paul exhorted the believers in Rome not to be “tardy, indolent and grievous” in their “diligence and earnestness”.

The verse continues, “fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”. Paul added the words, “fervent” which means “boiled with heat, hot and zealous for what is good” “in spirit” or “the simple essence which is devoid of all or at least all grosser matter and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting”; “serving” which means “being a slave, doing service and yielding obedience to” “the Lord” which refers to “Jesus Christ”. Paul instructed his believing readers to be “zealous” within their “minds and hearts” and “doing service and being obedient” the the “Lord” Jesus.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see his further instructions concerning their “diligence”, “zeal” and “service” before God. People who believe in Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord” are to be different than others in the world. Christians “serve” the Lord Jesus in their daily activities, work and “service” to others. When Christians conduct themselves in this manner, the world sees an outward demonstration of the relationship with God that is within them.

Next time Paul tells his believing readers in Rome to be, “rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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