September 19, 2018

Fuel for the Fire

Romans 12:11

Brett Bradshaw
Wednesday's Devo

September 19, 2018

Wednesday's Devo

September 19, 2018

Central Truth

When God is the object of your love, it produces a passionate self-giving care for the good of others.

Romans 12:11

11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, 1 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit serve the Lord.

Footnotes

[1] 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit

Dive Deeper | Romans 12:11

“She’s here! She’s here! O what joy, she’s here!” These words burst out of my heart and filled my mind at the joy of seeing my daughter for the first time. This is not something I mustered up or prepared for by reading Baby Wise; it was a gift. As a new dad, my love for this little one ignited a fire in my bones for seeking her good. I think this gets close to what Paul had in mind in this text. What you are passionate about is directly connected with what you love, and you will serve the object(s) of your love.

Authentic love doesn’t burn out, but is aflame with service. This is what the Church, the family of God, is meant to look like. It is a life lived together in loving service. Service is not a duty as much as it is a grace-empowered self-giving for the good of others. Look back a few verses to the beginning of this chapter. Notice the “therefore” and “by the mercies of God.” Let all that God has done for you through His Son Jesus Christ kindle a flame in your heart to passionately serve others. There is no hint here of earning anything. Meditate on God’s goodness in the gospel. Remind yourself of His love for you. This is the day-by-day, moment-by-moment fuel for the fire of a life well lived.

Before becoming a dad, I couldn’t imagine the ways this little one would change me, but there is no doubt now that I am a different man. I don’t care for her out of duty but from my deep love for her. She is a daily reminder of Paul’s message of what authentic love looks like. When God is the object of your love, it produces a passionate self-giving care for the good of others.

This month's memory verse

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

– Romans 10:13

Discussion Questions

1. What are you passionate about? What does this tell you about what you love?

2. Who are the people whom God has put in your life for you to love and serve?

3. Who has God made you to be? What are the unique gifts, skills, and abilities that you can use to care for others?