Fervent in Spirit - Rejoice in Hope - Romans 12:9-21 (morning bible study)

not lagging behind in diligence, fervent (having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling,enthusiasm, etc./ hot; burning; glowing) in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, (Romans 12:11, 12 NASB)

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:11, 12 NIV)

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (Romans 12:11, 12 NLT)

Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice and exult (to express your joy in some visible way) in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:11, 12 AMP)

I am reminded this morning of our confident hope (which has nothing to do with my track record, good or bad, but has everything to do with what Jesus Christ, did for us.). I am reminded to rejoice in that hope.  When I get stuck in self condemnation allowing myself to dwell on my unworthiness I can get weighed down and this has the opposite effect of what the lament of my heart longs for; which is to be faithful and steadily growing in Holiness and Righteousness.  

God reminded me that I have Christ in me, the hope of glory, the truth, the way; and that I have this gift not because I earned it, but because I accepted it, I humbly asked and believed that God, who did all the work and paid the high price, would give it to me knowing I could never earn it, or achieve it.  REJOICE IN HOPE!  By the great mercy and love of God, I have hope. *period* 

My sin and short comings weren't too much before I accepted the gift of salvation, now that I have the perfect righteousness of Christ given to me as my robe of righteousness (a gift received from God by faith), I can let condemnation convince me that some how I suddenly have to earn my salvation.  I must rejoice in my salvation, rejoice in our hope.  It is this very gift of love and grace that feeds the flames of fervent zeal to work hard at serving God.  If I want to be diligent I need the strength of the joy of my salvation.

REJOICE IN OUR CONFIDENT HOPE

Let The Lord excite you as you serve Him

Be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving The Lord  

Rejoice and express your joy in some visible way in our confident hope.

[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good. Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of God's people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality. Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief]. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God's] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21 AMP)

S.A.M. Toney

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