Fervent in Spirit
"Be...fervent in spirit" (Romans 12:10-11)
It's almost funny- but not quite. Most people don't even realize that this is a Biblical command. We categorize others by their personalities, and seem to forget that every part of us, including our personality, is to be placed under the complete control of the Holy Spirit.
If you grasp this concept, it will affect everything that you do. To be fervent in spirit is to be filled with an intensity, an enthusiasm, even a passion, in everything. It requires accepting and treating every task- of every size- as a direct assignment from the Lord (which, by the way, it should be).
Peter said, "...above all things have fervent charity." James pointed out that it is fervent prayer that avails much. Paul spoke of laboring fervently. If you have fervent spirit, you will have fervent charity. If you are fervent in spirit, your prayer will be fervent. If you are fervent in spirit, you will labor fervently.
This fervency demands a higher level of energy- emotional, spiritual, and many times physical. It's not for those who love their laziness and lethargy. It's for those who want to experience an increased effectiveness in influencing those around them, more efficient productivity, and a substantially greater amount of responsibility and opportunity to serve the Lord in real ways.
Are you willing to give up the comfort of apathetic ease? It's a sacrifice, but it's a life-changing and ministry-changing decision. And it's either obedience or direct disobedience to the specific command in Romans 12. We are told, plainly, to be fervent in spirit. Period.
Please do it. Embrace a life of fervor. Be enthusiastic, passionate, intensely serious in every single thing the Lord allows you to be a part of.
