![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n A Christian\u2019s life should be characterized by diligent service.<\/p>\n \u201cLagging<\/span>\u201d is from okn\u0113ros<\/em><\/span>, from the\u00a0 verb okne\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto be slow, to be lazy, or to delay.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cdiligence<\/span>\u201d is spoud\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which literally means \u201cspeed<\/span>,\u201d but by implication it refers to eagerness, earnestness, diligence, or zeal.<\/p>\n The word \u201cfervent<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word dzeontes<\/em><\/span>, which literally means \u201cto be hot.\u201d However, it means more than just being overly warm. In reference to liquids, this word means \u201cto boil\u201d and with reference to metal objects it means \u201cto glow.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cserving<\/span>\u201d is douleuontes<\/em><\/span>, which comes from the noun \u201cdoulos<\/em><\/span>\u201d meaning \u201ca slave who has been purchased by, and therefore completely subservient to the will of, his or her master.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul continues his admonition of how we ought to behave in this Christian life. In this verse there are three declarations. Literally he says, \u201cin speed not slow, in the spirit being fervent, in the Lord being a slave.<\/span>\u201d In the first of these, Paul is telling us that whatever we choose to do, it should be done earnestly, not lazily. In other words, whatever you apply yourself to, you should do it the best you can. It should be done diligently and faithfully, as if Christ were there observing you.<\/p>\n In the second part of this verse, Paul tells us that we should be fervent in spirit. Whereas the first part of this verse deals with the physical part of our being, this expression refers to the spiritual part of our being. In other words, Paul is telling us that our spiritual life and effort should be fervent. That is, we should be \u201con fire\u201d for the Lord.<\/p>\n In his evaluation of the church of Laodicea, in the 3rd<\/sup> chapter of the book of the Revelation, our Lord says this:<\/p>\n “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.<\/span>\u201d (Revelation 3:15-16<\/strong><\/span>)<\/p>\n Clearly He was not pleased with the church that was merely lukewarm, and I believe that is a warning to all Christians today. We should not simply be going through the motions in our Christian walk. God wants hot, on-fire followers, not average, lukewarm followers.<\/p>\n The third part of this verse is actually a continuance of the second part. Not only are we to be hot in our spiritual life, it is to be manifested in our service to the Lord. We have been bought with the precious blood of Christ and are no longer free. We are the purchased slaves of God. Therefore, we should be serving Him, not ourselves.<\/p>\n Let me ask you a real soul-searching question. Who are you really living your life for? Are you your own master, or are you completely submitted to the one who bought you with the precious blood of Christ?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n