Saturday, 2nd December 2023
Andrews Ampomah
TOPIC: SERVE THE LORD WITH ZEAL
THEME SCRIPTURE: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.” - Romans 12:11
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- What is involved in spiritual slothfulness?
- What entails being fervent in spirit?
In Revelation, John records Jesus' words to the seven Asia Minor churches. "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned your first love – (Rev 2:4)," he says to the Ephesus church, and to Laodicea, he describes their situation, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! (Rev 3:15).” Unfortunately, many believers today fit this description of the churches in Ephesus and Laodicea. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches have doused the love we first had for God.
Our current spiritual status cannot be specifically described; we are cold sometimes and hot at other times. Situations determine our spiritual state.
In Chapter 12, Paul instructed the Romans on how to relate to God and each other. He iterated that if God has redeemed you from darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son, you must live out your new identity as a Christian. "Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord," he instructs, acknowledging that one can lose their first love and become lukewarm. Thus, do what we must in our relationship with God with intense effort and motivation, not lazily (slowly, tardily). It depicts someone who wants to do something and is willing to put in time, effort, and dedication to accomplish it.
Anything worthwhile in the Christian life is worth doing well, and with zeal.
"Fervent" means boiling in your spirit, according to the Apostle. The idea is that believers should always be boiling for the Lord. Keep burning for the Lord as you eliminate slothfulness to serve the Lord. Be hot with zeal in your spirit.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, have you lost your steam for the things of God? Have you overshared your early Christian exploits? Have you proudly said you've done enough so it's others' turn? Today, the word of the Lord is calling us to intense prayer again; and to a diligent study of the holy scriptures. God is calling us to passionate soul-winning and church planting again. God is reminding us to prioritize serving in his house again. It is great to serve the Living God.
He's calling us back to holiness in all aspects of life. He is encouraging us to return to the days of brotherly love once more.
The child of God in Christ must be zealous and not lazy. God loathes our lukewarmness or our indifference. Shouldn’t you shake yourself one more time by the Holy Spirit so that from now on you will be on fire for the Lord? Like Jesus, should it not be said of you: “The zeal for your house has consumed me?” Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – Revelations 3:15-22
Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- Reflecting on your first love, which areas of your spiritual life have been lukewarm?
- How do you intend to return to your first love once again?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, by the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, revive me again and set my heart on fire for you in Christ Jesus. I confess that by your grace I have been revived, being no more lazy in zeal, but fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. Amen.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Job 1; Job 2; Jonah 2; Jonah 3; Hebrews 8; Hebrews 9
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