The Marks of a Christian - Do Not Be Slothful in Zeal

Does your life have outward marks that reflect your inward convictions? If you are a follower of Jesus, it should. Another mark of a Christian? “Do not be slothful in zeal” (Romans 12:11a).                       Zeal implies eagerness. It means approaching all things with gusto. With an attitude of zest.          The opposite of zeal is laziness - a deadly sin. Why? Because laziness is rooted in the flesh, not the Spirit. Laziness is the path of least resistance. And the danger in it is this - instead of nourishing and encouraging our God-given gifts and initiatives, laziness squelches and kills them. In Proverbs 6:6-11, Solomon adjures God’s followers to examine the productivity of ants - how they work together diligently and prudently.  These tiny insects provide us with a tangible illustration that hard work is key for a successful life. Which is why we should work especially hard for God’s kingdom. In what the Lord has called us to do for Him. We’ve each been given one life to live. For Him. A life with a specific and important purpose. A life that matters. What is another distinguishing mark of a Christian?  Refuse to be slothful - especially in living a zealous life for Jesus and His kingdom.