FERVENT IN SPIRIT; SERVING THE LORD

Genuine faith in Christ affects every area of life. We are not to think that any area is unaffected. Today’s Bible command calls us to a life of industry which keeps us from idleness. It teaches us that the believer is called to use time wisely, ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil’, Eph. 5. 16. While it is true there are times when we should wisely ‘Come ye... apart... and rest a while’, Mark 6. 31, this is not the normal routine of life and only makes sense in a life that is diligent in service.

The word for ‘business’ here means ‘diligence’ and is so translated in verse 8. Paul does not specify a particular area of work. The command includes all kinds of industry. The verse instructs us that whatever area we find ourselves in we are ‘serving the Lord’. The home, office, shop, marketplace or school are all spheres of serving the Lord as is the pulpit. In fact, if one cannot be diligent in what on the surface might appear as merely ‘secular’ things, one cannot be entrusted with duties that involve spiritual matters. There is a spiritual dimension to both.

Being fervent in our endeavours is consistent with the Christian’s view of time. It is not to be wasted. It is slipping away and cannot be recovered. Things done in time have an effect in eternity. Albert Barnes wrote, ‘An idle man and a Christian are names which do not harmonize’. Every Christian should be a busy one, since there is much to be done. There is work to do in providing for our needs, caring for our families, being productive. There is work to do in spreading the gospel, knowing more about the Lord and His word, discharging our duties in local church fellowship. The incessant search for leisure is not the goal of the Christian; ‘always abounding in the work of the Lord’, 1 Cor. 15. 58, was Paul’s motto!

The word fervent has the idea of being hot or boiling. Coldness of heart and indifference of spirit are incompatible with the life of a believer. The devil’s specialty is idleness whereas an industrious Christian is kept from evil.

Discouraged by having too much to do? Thank the Lord you have things to do and do them as unto the Lord.