Fervent

It's been a busy day and I'm running late, but I'm here with the sixth installment of our Food for Thought look at the instructions on love given in Romans 12. Our word for today is "fervent" because it tells us in verse 11 to be fervent in spirit. What does that mean? Fervent means warmhearted, passionate, eager.

That seems a little too vague to put into action, so let's look at Acts 18:25-26 to help us understand a little better what being fervent in spirit entails. "This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldy in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately."

Verse 25 shows us being fervent means "speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus." Verse 26 goes a step farther. How did he speak out? Boldly. How does this relate to loving each other? If we love each other, we should be bold enough to speak to each other and teach each other. Loving each other means helping each other to grow.

And notice something else from these verses, and if you read on down a couple more. This man was fervent in presenting the little bit of knowledge he had. When he did that, God made sure he was given more and more knowledge so he could continue. His fervency to share God's love with others ended up increasing his own.

It doesn't matter how long you've been a Christian, or how confident you feel, you have something wonderful to say. Say it. Fervently--in a warm and friendly way, passionately (not apologetically) and eagerly. You'll be amazed to find that God meets you at the little bit you have to offer and strengthens you and increases your knowledge. Like the man in Acts, you'll be surprised at the places you'll go and how powerfully God will use you.