Yesterday we looked at a very distinguishing mark of a Christian. The first was love. A love for God that is exhibited in loving others. Today we will look at another distinguishing mark of a follower of Jesus Christ. In Romans 12:11, Paul reveals a quality that is highly overlooked in most Christian circles. It is one of intensity and determination. It is a quality of self-denial. We are cautioned not to be slothful, but to be fervent in spirit as we serve the Lord.
Romans 12:11 “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
The word slothful is used three times in the New Testament. It means slow, idle, or void of any urgency or promptness in attitude or action. Our term for this would be lazy! One of the best ways for us to understand this meaning is in Matthew 25:14-30 where Jesus is sharing a parable of the Master who gave talents, which is money, to His servants. His intent was for them to invest in ways that would gain a monetary return. Two of them invested and did well on their investment and they received a “well done” from the Master. However, one of them was lazy and used excuses to not invest or use the talent he had been given wisely. When the Master returns, he is angry at the slothful servant. He reminded the servant of what he expected, but the servant made excuses. In verse 30 we see the Master’s response to these excuses. He was labeled as an unprofitable servant and cast into outer darkness where there was torment forever.
Matthew 25:24-26 “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:”
Matthew 25:30 “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
We are also called to be fervent in spirit in Romans 12:11. This means to have an intense zeal in our minds and hearts. Are you intense in your serving Christ? Does your family, coworkers, and church family, see that you are constantly about the Father’s business? Do you seek to take the easy way out of situations where there are needs, using your schedule as an excuse to avoid serving? Why not look at the big picture and find ways to do all you can? We all tend to find ways to do what is important to us. Shouldn’t our service to the King of kings be of top importance?
We live in a world where people feel entitled. Many feel they should have a time for relaxation after a day of work. They feel they deserve a break. While it is nice to sit and relax, we don’t deserve it. May I remind us that if we get what we deserve, we will spend eternity in Hell! If we allow how we feel to dictate what we do there will be many opportunities missed where we can make a difference for Christ. One of the true marks of a Christian is being busy about his Father’s business. Even as a boy Jesus taught us this biblical principle in Luke 2:49. He had stayed back in the temple when his parents had started back on their journey home. They missed him, went to look for him, and found him in the temple. They didn’t understand his response at that time, but it is applicable to us today. Luke 2:49 “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
The Father should always be on our minds as we seek to always bring glory and honor to Him. So, push on and gain strength from the all-powerful God. You will never regret being exhausted from working for Jesus.
