Romans 12:11 (ESV Strong's)
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Be Fervent in God’s Business
This verse comes right in the middle of this chapter, by Paul, on the believers responsibility to be living out a life, acceptable to God and seeking God’s acceptable will in their life (verses 1 & 2). God wants us to engage in the work we do in an acceptable manner to Him. But, the exact nature of the work, in Romans 12, is to use our spiritual gifts to serve others to the glory of God, despite any suffering brought on to us by injustice. The above phrase, “do not be slothful in zeal,” does have an alternative interpretation in other versions of the Bible. This is from the late, commentator. RC Sproul:
“My translation for the next phrase reads not lagging in diligence (v. 11a). An older translation reads “not slothful in business” (kjv). We are not to be lazy in business; however, Paul is not talking about commercial enterprise. The word business comes from the term busy-ness, which means we should be busy people, busy with the things of God. Jonathan Edwards gave a sermon about pressing into the kingdom of God. “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt. 11:12). Edwards said that those who have come to Christ have been born again and given a spirit of zeal to pursue the things of God with a sense of urgency and with hunger and passion. Therefore, it is the duty of every Christian to press into the kingdom of God, making that the main business of life. The kingdom of God cannot be a secondary interest for a true Christian. We are to be diligent and active in the things of God.”
Our business in life is to be “engaged in business” (of the Kingdom). Note the parable Jesus gave His disciples:
Luke 19:11-13 (ESV Strong's)
As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’
The disciples thought Jesus was going to usher in the Kingdom of God. But, Jesus first had to die and rise again. He also had to build the church. While we are waiting for the kingdom we are to be “engage” fervently in the business of God and make ourselves “busy” for Him. That is the way to make sure we please Him and are prepared for the final Kingdom.
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