Morning, Zane.
Well, I got out of bed, had my coffee, tried to do some planning, put the garbage out for collection, did a little jog with the dogs, ate some breakfast, and am now trying to select from my huge list what I should do first. Can you offer any guidance?
I only know that there is no substitute for keeping my “spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”…as instructed in this reading. I think it’s worth noting that this “spiritual fervor” Paul speaks of is in parallel with the temperature settings of HOT and COLD as presented in Rev. 3:15-16. Check it out.
Blessings on your day. Love and prayers—Tua/Ray.
Please don’t be duped by the notion that you can read this passage between verses 9 and 13, then go out and successfully do what it says on your own, by yourself, with just the determination and effort of your own human will. It ain’t gonna happen! And to prove this point, TRY IT! The fact remains that ONLY ONE PERSON IN ALL THE UNIVERSE CAN TRULY LIVE OUT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE—CHRIST HIMSELF. AND THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN IS IN AND THROUGH HIM!
My own experience certainly bears this out. Being the human being that I am, and left to my own resources, my spiritual zeal tends to be a “yo-yo”—up and down, rise and fall—influenced and dictated by my environment, circumstances, feelings, weariness, and other attractions. But Paul here promotes a do-able standard that has nothing to do with such factors. It has everything to do with the conditional requirement of Romans 12:1-2 and Galatians 2:20. (Be sure you are familiar with these vital New Testament concepts.)
NEVER BE LACKING IN ZEAL. We are called here to excitement and enthusiasm—indeed passion. That requires a serious maintenance program that continually replenishes that which is continually depleted. It involves regular intake and exercise in the WORD OF TRUTH (2 Timothy 2:15).
KEEP YOUR SPIRITUAL FERVOR. You can only keep something you have if you have and exercise the power to keep. God knows you CAN keep your spiritual fervor IF you want to, and IF you do so on His terms—by His standard—which is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).
SERVING THE LORD. Here, in simple concise form, is the PURPOSE OF YOUR VERY EXISTENCE! If we are not serving Him, we are automatically serving something or someone very inferior. If Biblical revelation is TRUTH, that’s just the way it is! We are presented with only those two basic options.
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. SERVE THE LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:1-2, KJV).