Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. NIV

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord. KJV

Romans 12:11

The word Slothful/Lazy means to hesitate, to be slow. Slow and “poky” as in Matthew 25:26… “you wicked lazy slave…

A lazy Christian is a contradiction of terms. Having been saved from the guilt and ravages of sin, the Christian is man at the zenith of his best powers. Strength, zeal, enthusiasm, vigor, and the full thrust of his total energy should distinguish the Christian’s performance in business, trade, profession, study, artistic creation, or in anything else that he pursues as a vocation; and, above everything, such qualities should characterize his devotion and service in the church. The opposite of what Paul commanded here is lukewarmness, a negative condition represented as disgusting to God himself (Revelation 3:16). Coffman’s Commentary

I believe what God desires and applauds  in a believer is his or her passion and zeal not only for the things of God but for God himself. Here are four people in scriptures that showed a lot of zeal for God:

Phinehas – Numbers 25:11. When Israel was being threatened by sexual corruption during the exodus, Phinehas speared and killed two people to prevent the spread of that corruption.

Elijah – 1 Kings 18. When Israel was being threatened by Baal idolatry, Elijah led the people to kill the prophets of Baal. This violent passion in defense of God’s Covenant was called a holy ‘zeal’.

Jesus – “zeal for my father’s house consumes me” – John 2:17. Jesus himself was consumed with passion and zeal for the Kingdom of God.

Paul – Philippians 3:13, 14 – Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

So, today, I hope I can I find someone who’s ready to fan his/her passion for Christ into flames? Can I find someone today who’s ready to fan his/her service for Christ into flames?

Ignite!