There is no question that, as Christians, love should be a defining characteristic. But a second, of extreme importance, is that we are to be on fire!
In both the English Standard Version and The New Revised Standard Version, the paragraph heading for Romans 12:8-21 is “Marks of the True Christian.” The paragraph contains instructions as to the characteristics or content of what might be referred to as the sanctified life – some basic characteristics of what Paul would earlier in the chapter refer to as the transformed life. Without any apparent logic as to the order, we are given a list of moral maxims made up of participial phrases, with a few infinitives and imperatives. Most agree the exhortations are to be understood as prescriptive and not just descriptive.
Of particular interest are the admonition (or admonitions) given in verse 11, “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spiri
t, serve the Lord.” (ESV) The construction of the verse is interesting. As with much of Paul’s writing, the verse is not a single neat sentence but a string of three short phrases that express three basic Christian states of mind. First, he says that we should not be willing to just get by with as little work and inconvenience as possible. In fact, we are to be on fire! The word translated “fervent” is from the verb zeō, which means “to bubble, to boil, to seethe, to burn.” In other words, in the context of Christian service, we are to be on fire with zeal and enthusiasm.
You understand, I hope, that God really dislikes lukewarm ‘Christians’ who find it easy to just go through the motions. If we are not growing, we are to be pruned; if dead, cut off. We should never settle for that which is comfortable. To the church at Laodicea (and so to us) comes the word, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16, ESV).
The same problem existed in the day of Malachi. At that point, even the priests were guilty. Worship was not what God wanted. The priests were exhibiting a careless attitude toward the Lord and dishonoring his name in the kinds of offerings they were bringing to him. Thus, God calls for someone to step up and close the doors! It would be better if there were no fire than services not on fire with zeal and enthusiasm: “Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain! I have no pleasure in you, says the LORD of hosts, and I will not accept an offering from your hand. For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 1:10–11, ESV).
How would you describe your spiritual life? Read Romans 12:8-21 and rate yourself as to each of the ‘marks’ that Paul provides. It is time for us to be putting off the old and putting on the new! It is time for reNEWal!