“The Pattern for Life and Love”
Romans 12:11
Review
I. Receive the gift of righteousness
II. Apply the Gift of Righteousness
III. Place of Israel in the God’s Plan of Salvation
IV. Live the Gift of Righteousness
• Dedicate fully your body and soul to God’s service
• Renew your thinking in regard to the body. 12:3-8
• Renew your thinking in regard to genuine love
1. Renew you thinking in regard to the evil – continually be abhorring
2. Renew your thinking in regard to the good -- continually being glued
3. Renew your thinking in regard to the friendship love – warmly embracing as a dear family member
4. Renew you thinking in regard to the honor of one another – leading the way
a) Acknowledge Value
(1) Assign or ascribe value
(2) Apprehend value.
b) Affirm Value
I have come to believe that verse 11 is most likely the pivotal verse in all of these verses focusing on renewed thinking. In it we discover the Pattern, Power and Purpose of life and love. Here is this foundational trinity of renewed thinking.
• Renew your thinking in regard to diligence – don’t be lazy
• Renew your thinking in regard to the Spirit – boil over
• Renew your thinking in regard to the Lord – serving as a bondservant
Literally verse eleven reads…
“In the diligence not slothful”
“In the Spirit boiling over”
“In the Lord serving.”
The pattern for life and love is diligence not laziness. The power for life and love is boiling over by the Spirit not lukewarm by the desires of the flesh. The purpose for life and love is to please the Lord and serve Him not just viewing Him as our servant.
Our thinking must be clear about why and how we live this life and by what energy we live it.
Genuine love persistently and passionately (not lazy in regard to the diligence) pursues divine directives (serving in regard to the Lord)
in spite of discouraging difficulties
fueled by the energy of the Spirit (boiling in regard to the Spirit)
and the encouragement of the saints.
Many people have zeal and passion but for the wrong things and for the wrong reasons. Many people draw their energy from within themselves for themselves. Many people pursue their own agenda and serve themselves and view God as the servant rather than the Master. Genuine love persistently and passionately pursues divine directives fueled by the energy of the Spirit and the encouragement of the saints. We will be passionately pursuing these things over the next several messages.
This lesson focuses on the pattern of diligence not laziness and then we will focus on learning what it means to boil over in regard to the Spirit and what it means to serve the Lord after Easter.
5. Renew your thinking in regard to the diligence – don’t be lazy
The grammatical pattern established through this passage deviates a bit here.
It still starts with “in regard to the” but follows with a noun instead of a participle.
“in regard to the diligence”
“diligence” = speed, haste, zeal, passion, seriousness, urgency, eagerness, dedication, readiness
In regard to your dedication and service to Christ don’t be lazy. Diligence is the natural and expected result of conversion. That is what is so wonderful about a new Christian. They are eager and zealous about their new relationship with God. Us old timers sit back and smile as we think, “Just wait, you’ll soon be like the rest of us. I am here to tell you today that just because mediocrity seems to be the normal modus operandi after being a Christian for a while it is not the Biblical expectation. Diligence is the continual expectation of a faithful servant. Everyone hopes for a passionate employee; one who persistently demonstrates a passion for the work and consistently pursues the directives of the boss and objectives of the company. We hope for someone who sticks to the job and does it with persistence. Would God desire anything less?
Diligence
The persistent and passionate pursuit of divine directives
in spite of discouraging difficulties.
We must renew our thinking concerning diligence. Love keeps diligent, zealous, urgent, and passionate about life in God’s service. Paul reminds us here that “in regard to diligence, genuine love is not sluggish or lazy.”
“sluggish” = shrinking, hesitating, backward, troublesome, sluggish, idle, lazy, indolent, not active, bothersome, lagging behind, slothful, (sloth like), slow and poky.
No matter how long we have been Christians, genuine love for the Lord remains zealous, diligent, passionate and ever moving toward kingdom objectives. We must continually be on fire for God. How zealous is your dedication to the kingdom.
Jesus called His followers to seek kingdom first above all. We must concern ourselves with issues of the kingdom FIRST; the restoration of righteousness in our own life and the community around us. We must focus our attention and direct our primary energy toward kingdom goals. Diligence has to do with pursuit of objectives. Without objectives and goals there is no way to measure diligence. You can’t measure progress without a destination. Unless going in circles is our goal, it doesn’t matter how passionately we spin in circles if we are no closer to our destination. If only we could only find the kind of zeal and diligence and dedication in the church as we observed these past weeks from the Olympic athletes. Hours and hours of tedious training! Years of dedication! A lifetime of concentrated effort and resources directed to one thing in life! Years of training for a mere moment of opportunity!
Do you know why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah?
"Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Ezekiel 16:49
Careless ease! Our whole American culture is fueled by the pursuit of careless ease. We expend all our energy in bursts so we can finally sit and relax, go nowhere, accomplish nothing. Spiritual diligence has to do with keeping the fire lit and the finish line in sight over the long haul. Perseverance is prolonged diligence. King Asa (2 Chron 14) would have been a most venerated King of Judah. He began powerfully. He defeated a well equipped million-man army with nearly half the army and primitive resources because he trusted the Lord. This supernatural victory through his faith in the Lord inspired sweeping national reform. His efforts still stand as a powerful model for renewal. He removed the idols. He Restored the altar. He Rallied the family. He Resolved to continually seek the Lord. What passion what diligence, what zeal for God. Yet in spite of a powerful beginning, he finished poorly. After a life of trust and service to God, King Asa folded under later pressure by failing to trust God.
The Bible really is about diligence as opposed to laziness and mediocrity in our relationship with God. We read the story of those who through faith and perseverance inherited most amazing promises and those who through fear and mediocrity died without ever really laying hold of the eternal life made possible through faith in Christ.
A LAZY SPIRIT
Webster defines the adjective lazy as follows: Disinclined to action or exertion; adverse to labor; indolent, idle, slothful. We normally view laziness or mediocrity from a purely physical aspect regarding someone who won’t work. This is only one aspect of laziness. Laziness and mediocrity may be observed in any and all spheres of one’s life.
Lazy in regard to work around the house but industrious at your job.
Lazy intellectually.
Lazy in regard to physical exertion.
Lazy emotionally disinclined to engage in relationships.
Lazy spiritually.
It takes labor over time to improve in any endeavor of life. I offer the following definition of laziness:
Laziness
The tendency to remain where we are in life
instead of
moving toward where we could & should be.
This definition can apply to the material or immaterial world. It touches both our daily physical life and our spiritual life. Laziness rules when I neglect any conscious effort to improve or move ahead in my walk with and service for God. It indicates a failure to pursue spiritual goals and objectives. It manifests when I keep putting off dealing with habits and sins that I know are harmful to my spiritual life as well as perhaps my physical life and displeasing to God. Laziness manifests when I postpone until tomorrow those things that God asked me to do today or yesterday. Who knows what opportunity I may lose tomorrow simply because I will be too busy catching up on yesterday’s work.
When we think about mediocrity, we must not excuse ourselves because we don’t mind hard work or physical labor or even because we are continually busy. Diligence maintains a fire for the things of the kingdom. Spiritual diligence pursues divine directives. Spiritual laziness sometimes manifests busyness with other things that produce more immediate gratification. Rebellion lies at the core of procrastination and laziness. I just simply refuse (consciously or unconsciously) to do what God calls me to do when I am called to do it.
BIBLICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LAZY PERSON
1 -- He won’t acknowledge his laziness and produces ample justification for his lack of diligence. He can always think of good logical excuses for failure to act.
Prov 26:16; 22:13
EXCUSES -- Had a long day. There will be time later. Too busy for Lord now. I put in my devotions last week. I’ll pray tonight
2 – His condition developed gradually through small unchecked concessions to laziness. Prov 6:12
3 -- He fails to value the importance of time and seasons. Prov 20:4
4 -- He loves sleep. Prov 26:4; 6:9; 19:15;
Sleep is used as a means of escape from responsibility. There are many other ways we find to avoid our responsibilities. Sometimes it may be just business.
5 -- He fails to complete tasks or maintain what he has. Prov 24:30-31; Ecc 10:18
6 -- He lives in an unreal world of wishes (desires) and unfulfilled dreams.
Prov 21:25-26; 13:4
7 -- He cannot be trusted to carry out responsibilities. Prov 10:26; 18:9
8 -- He wastes resources by neglect. Prov 26:1; 12:26
How often we waste opportunities for spiritual growth that God brings our way. Don’t take advantage in studying any further. So much is available for our growth. Too weary.
9 -- He doesn’t realize his state or sense a need to change. Rev 3:15-17
I guess I am most concerned with laziness in our spiritual growth. Some of you haven’t moved or grown in your walk with God for years. Many of you are stuck where you are not because you can’t grow but because you have become spiritually lazy and chosen not to pursue growth.
The writer of Hebrews sternly warns us about such an attitude.
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:11-12
Laziness has consequences.
CONSEQUENCES OF LAZINESS
1 -- A difficult life -- Prov 15:19
"The way of the sluggard is as a hedge of thorns" 15:19
2 – Poverty – Prov 10:4; 19:15; 20:4
3 -- Forced to always work for others – Prov 12:24
4 -- Greater susceptibility to sin – 2 Thess 3:11; Ezek16:49-50
King David got in trouble with Bathsheba because he was staying up all night and sleeping all day when he should have been out with the Army. His laziness led to increased selfishness and rebellions ending in adultery, deception and murder.
5 -- Unprepared for the coming of the Lord -- Matthew 25
Half of the virgins demonstrated foolish procrastination, passivity and priorities leaving them out in the cold. The other half were watching and prepared for the arrival of the bridegroom ushering them into a wonderful celebration of life. God expects and really deserves diligence from his servants.
Diligence
The persistent and passionate pursuit of divine directives
in spite of discouraging difficulties.
Where do we get this passion for divine directives?
DEVELOPING SPIRITUAL DILIGENCE
1. Discern the patterns of diligence by observation Prov 6:6-8; 30:24-25
• Priorities. The ant knows what needs to be done.
• Time Management. The ant knows when things should be done.
• Motivation. The ant knows why things need to be done.
The ant works without constant supervision. The ant plans and works for the future without the constant need for immediate gratification. The ant completes what is necessary immediately.
Study the example of others saints of God. 1 Thess 1:5-7
2. Discern the purpose of diligence from the Scripture.
So what areas of the spiritual life call for zealousness, diligence, seriousness, urgency, eagerness, dedication, readiness? We are to exercise passion and diligence in everything we do but there are some Bible passages that specifically instruct us to apply diligence to certain aspects.
• Diligent Love for the Lord
"You shall love the Lord your God will all you heart and with all your soul and with all your might." Deut 6:5
This is the prime directive for the Christian. The passage declares that the demonstration of our love for God is to occupy not only our emotions and personality but our very physical body as well. What does it mean to love with all our might? In America, do we do anything with all our might? Would you characterize your love for the Lord as one that occupies your whole being.
• Diligent Character Development 2 Pet 1:5-10; 2 Tim 2:15
Are these the things that we think of when we contemplate diligence? Are we doing all we can to see these character qualities built into our everyday life?
• Diligent Obedience Deut 4:9; Ps 119:4; 1 Tim 4:10; 2 Tim 2:15; 2 Pet 3:4; Prov 4:23
• Diligent Walk By the Power of The Spirit
"Let us therefore be diligent to enter into that rest (Spirit empowered walk of faith), lest anyone fall though following the same example of disobedience. (the Israelites refused to act upon the promise that God would give them the land). Heb 4:11
Work hard at resting. Do we even know what Scripture says about Spiritual rest? There is a rest for the people of God. It has to do with resting in the acceptance of Christ and functioning daily in the peace and power of the Holy Spirit. It seems so contradictory to exercise diligence to enter into rest. The diligence comes in the area of trust and faith.
Many will walk around in the wilderness for the rest of their life.
• Diligent prayer life
"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving." Col 4:2
This one of the greatest neglects in the Church today. Even pastor’s log only an average of 7 minutes a day in prayer. Pray prepares the soil for the seed of the Word to germinate, grow and bear the fruit that God intended.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, Ephes. 6:18
• Diligent Love for One Another
"Above all, keep fervent in you love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins." I Pet4:8
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart." I Peter 1:22
"...being diligent to preserve (continually) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph 4:3
• Diligent Training of Our Children
"And these words which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to you sons and ..." Deut 6:6-7
"He who loves him(his son) disciplines him diligently."Pr13:24
• Diligent Giving to Needs of Others
...see that you abound (be diligent) in this gracious work also (giving).
• Diligent Ministry in the lives of others
"And we proclaim Him(Christ), admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ.
And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me." Col 1:28-29
But beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you (than failure to produce fruit), and the things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking n this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered to the saints.
These are the areas God expects continual diligence to the end. Take some time this week to inventory your passion in these areas. Would your actual behavior more close resemble the definition for diligence or laziness? Are you pursuing divine directives or dodging them?
3. Discern and deal with any trace of mediocrity & laziness
Two of the churches in Revelation that were addressed by Jesus suffered from like diseases. One lost the fervency of their first love for Christ. The other lapsed into mediocrity regarding the spiritual growth. We are doing little of eternal significance and calling it enough. We put in our token time and call it commitment. We spend a fraction of our total time developing our spiritual life as we do most every other aspect of life (eating, playing, watching TV) and call it good. Our ability to relate to God comes from exercise and time developing that relationship. It will never occur out of the blue or in a flash from heaven. We are either committed to the wrong things or we are committed to living life as comfortable as possible. The solution for both is the same as it was for the Revelation churches.
1--Recognize and repent of mediocrity
2--Recognize the need for supernatural help
3--Renew the thinking from earthly to heavenly.
4. Discern that the power of diligence comes from employing the energy of the Spirit and enlisting the encouragement of the saints.
“In regard to the spirit boiling over.”
Ordinary water has many uses in its own right but heating to boiling can energize entire cities. After Easter we will spend some time looking at how we yield to the heat of the Holy Spirit by a study of the next phrase in verse eleven. Put these three characteristics together and you learn that… Genuine love persistently and passionately pursues divine directives in spite of discouraging difficulties fueled by the energy of the Spirit and the encouragement of the saints.
Conclusion
In regard to the diligence, passionate not lazy
In regard to the Spirit, boiling not warm
In regard to the Lord, serving not embezzling
Demonstrate a zeal, urgency, a fire, a continual passion for the things God declares to be important. The phrase for this week is “Keep pressing forward!”
The rewards are worth it.
REWARDS OF DILIGENCE
• A Rich Life Prov 10:4
• Authority, leadership Prov 10:24; Rev 3:21
• A Satisfied Life – Prov 13:4
• Creativity and Resourcefulness Prov 21:5
• Honor and Respect – Prov 22:29
• Approval from God -- 2 Tim 2:15
Paul never stopped pursing divine directives. “I press on toward the God of the high calling of God.” Decide to break the tendency to remain where you are instead of moving toward where you should and could be. Decide today to persistently and passionate pursue divine directives in spite of the discouraging difficulties by employing the energy of the Spirit and enlisting the encouragement of the saints. Take inventory concerning the things most important to God recognizing the Biblical diligence is inseparably linked to Biblical directives.
What is my progress toward divine directives?
What temporal things are we willing to sacrifice to achieve eternal objectives?
Am I willing to adjust my present self-focus lifestyle to achieve kingdom objectives?
God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus.
Saturate me with the oil of the Spirit that I may be aflame. But flame is often short-lived. Canst thou bear this, my soul? Short life? In me there dwells the spirit of the Great Short-lived, whose zeal for God’s house consumed Him. Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.
Journal Entry from Jim Elliot (Missionary martyred at a young age by the Auca Indians of South America
