A Living SacrificeSample

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Romans 12:11 ESV)

I’ve always loved the old Standard song, “Young at Heart.” Frank Sinatra gives his secret to enjoying life:

Fairytales can come true, it can happen to you
If you're young at heart
For it's hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you're young at heart

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams
And life gets more exciting with each passing day
And love is either in your heart, or on its way

This is the life of a living sacrifice. It is a life of excitement and energy like that of a teenager. Paul is saying that those who are walking in the Spirit should be “fervent.” This means “having or displaying a passionate intensity.” Hopefully, you know what I’m talking about in your own life, but if not yet, you have probably seen someone who could be described as being “on fire for the Lord.” Well, it’s a real thing, and it’s supernatural.

The enemy will keep trying to steal our joy and energy, usually by making us focus on our old self or our current trials, and that’s when we start losing zeal. But Paul would say, “Snap out of it. That’s not who you are anymore. Serve the Lord and the fire will return.”