The New Living Translation of our opening verse says, "Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” There are Christians who, for the first few months or even years after they were born again, were on fire for the Lord! They were in every prayer meeting, always available for evangelism, and the first to volunteer for a new project; they prophesied in every meeting because they were so aglow in the Spirit.
However, over time, they began to wane in zeal; their enthusiasm for the things of the Spirit dissipated. The spiritual shine and excitement they once manifested gradually declined! Now, they consider the fervent zeal of younger Christians in their midst as “just a phase” or “youthful exuberance.” How sad! Never allow the fire of God in your spirit to wane or dissipate. You have the responsibility to maintain your zeal for God to a boiling point. Be aglow in the Spirit.
Whether you’ve been born again for two months or nineteen years, you ought to maintain your zeal for the Lord; have that childlike attitude in following the Master. Give His Word first place in your life, and have high regard for spiritual things. And if you realize now that the spiritual excitement you once experienced when you first believed has ebbed, then it’s time to remind yourself of those things that once stirred your spirit!
Get back to speaking in tongues, winning souls, and sharing the Word with your friends; get back to loving God’s Word and studying it voraciously. If you keep your spirit aglow by doing the Lord’s work, there’ll be no dull moment in your life; you’ll only know the upward and forward life.
Speak
I don’t lag in zeal and earnest endeavour; I’m burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. My passion for God’s Word and the things of the Spirit continually intensifies as I serve the Lord Christ.
