Serve the Lord

DEVOTIONAL:

Where is your passion? That is basically what Paul is asking us in Romans 12:11. Is your passion and enthusiasm in the Lord? Does serving God and living a radical Christian life fire you up? If not, Paul wants to wake you up.

First of all, know that this verse is coming from a man who is qualified to push us out of our lazy, lack-of-passion Christianity. Paul was a man who wanted nothing more than his necessities. He didn't care what else the world had to offer. He didn't mind that prison and beatings were awaiting him in new cities. He went anyway, loving that he had the opportunity to serve Christ and suffer for Him. Paul was a man who did not even consider his own life to be of any value on its own. All he wanted was to do what God had called him to. Yeah, that guy knows what it is like to be passionate about the Lord! He wants the same passion for us.

So, we must not be slothful in our zeal, passion, or enthusiasm. The slothful, lazy, slow, "blah" Christian life is not the life that God wants for us, according to Paul. Romans 12:11 walks through an easy progression. First, do not be slothful or lazy. Second, be passionate and enthusiastic. Third, serve the Lord. The third piece is the key! I think Paul is trying to tell us that if we would make up our minds that we are going to serve the Lord with everything we have, we are going to find a life full of passion and zeal. We would become enthusiastic about life! We would never turn back.

So, where is your passion? Are you slothfully wondering through life with no sense of purpose? Do you find yourself lacking any enthusiasm? If so, serve the Lord. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Decide that the world has nothing for you. Read about the apostle Paul in Acts 20 and find encouragement from his radical life. He's not putting burdens on you by telling you to sell out for the Lord. No, he is pushing you into life. He is showing us that when we get a taste of this true life, there is no room for us to continue to be slothful. We will find life, purpose, passion, and plenty of enthusiasm. Go, then, and serve the Lord!

Clay Muinzer

13forty4

SCRIPTURE:

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

~ Romans 12:11

22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,

23 Except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

25 And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.

32 "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.

34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

~ Acts 20:22-35