Be Fervent in Spirit

Romans 12:11:
“…Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”

Some zeal for God is better than no zeal for Him. If there is a spark of fervour for God it is better than no spark. But is just a spark enough? Should it grow to be a big fire of zeal or can it stay a small spark? Romans 12:11 addresses this.

Don’t be lagging in diligence but be fervent in spirit when you serve the Lord. Diligence refers to laziness. That’s displayed outwardly in actions. Being zealous in diligence means working hard. It involves pragmatic efficiency and hard work.

Fervent in spirit has mental connotations. Feelings and thoughts are also meant to be zealous in their service to God. Feelings and actions are related of course, but it is essential for our actions to be glorifying to God that we do them with a fervent mindset.

So will a spark be alright? Not if you want to please God. Jesus says in Revelation 3:15-16, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” That’s scary. Don’t take this lightly. If we are lukewarm in our diligence we will not find favour with Christ. More than that, He will despise us as one despises sour-tasting milk. Diligence matters. Fervent in spirit matters. We can’t be just sparks. We need to be burning furnaces.

So when are we meant to be not lagging in diligence and fervent in spirit? 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Always abounding in the work of the Lord. Be steadfast in your work. That’s a continual effort. Not every so often. Not a spark of zeal and then nothing. A roaring fire at all times is required!

We find the first and great commandment in Matthew 22:37: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Love for God must consume our whole body. Our heart, our soul, and our mind. We’ve got to be intense with our diligence and zeal.

Society has a problem. Even in Christian circles there is a lack of intensity and a lack of diligence and a lack of fervency for the Lord. It is even despised by some. It can be so hard to be diligent in serving God in all aspects of life when we are met with disapproval of those around us. We want to be a slave to peoples’ approval and try to live with an eye on what others think of us. What a bondage that is! What an evil that is!

In Ephesians 6:6-7 Paul urges servants to act “not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Serve God and not men! Don’t be a slave of men, seeking to be pleasing to men. Be a servant of Christ and seek His approval. That’s what matters ultimately.

With this truth in mind we can be freed from the insignificant opinions of men. Instead we care for only one thing: Does God approve of what I am doing and thinking?

I plead with you to serve the Lord with diligence and fervency. Aim to please Him in everything you do. Burn up those around you with your zeal so they too can be alight with fervent diligence for service to God.

“You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him” (Deuteronomy 13:4).