Doggedly Ferociously 2
5/31/2009
Romans 12.11 11 "...not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord..."
New American Standard Bible
(It is with reluctance that I take this phrase and think – I hate to take 11 words and build a theology upon them, but I think these 11 are worth giving it a shot; at least along with the rest of the Epistle to the Romans…)
One part of the whole point of our Christian life is that we must be doggedly diligent and ferociously fervent in serving the Lord by helping others (however, whenever the Spirit leads – emphasis Spirit leads). The reason everyone is gifted by God in the Body of Christ (and the local assembly) is so that the needs of each individual may be met by the whole, or by someone(s) in the whole (cf. Romans 12.13). There is no need for outside influence because God has gifted each one in the whole in order to take care of the needs of each one in the whole – that is Christian community.
So in light of these eleven words, it is incumbent upon me to be daily obedient in being doggedly diligent in applying the Scriptures to my life and spending unhurried time alone with God (U.T.A.G.) and ferociously fervent in serving the Lord by using what He has given me to help others and learning how to do so. I am part of a global community of Christ-followers and I must obey the Lord who has given me what I have to benefit others!
Father in Heaven,
You have gifted each of Your children and haven’t left one of them out of the plan. It is Your will that we care for one another and accept one another as a necessary resource for our own growth, nurture, and maturity all the while being doggedly diligent and ferociously fervent in caring for one another. Help me to obediently do this with a renewed heart and mind this day and every day henceforth – I pray in Jesus’ Name, amen.
