“Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭HCSB

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‬‬Paul lays out 8 ways to show family affection from verse 10 through 13

The second way to show family affection is to not lack diligence.

What is diligence? Careful and persistent work or effort (copied from Google Dictionary). Pay attention to what you are doing. Whether you are at home, work, or hanging out with friends your conduct will influence other people. It will influence your kids, your spouse, your co-workers, young Christians, and other people watching your life to see if what you say is true in your life. 

“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:23‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/col.3.23.hcsb

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/1co.10.31.hcsb

“Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them — this is the Law and the Prophets.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:12‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/mat.7.12.hcsb

The third way we are to show family affection is to be fervent in spirit. 

So what does fervent mean? Having or displaying a passionate intensity (copied from Goole Dictionary). be passionate about the things of the spirit. Not just your spirit but about the things of the Holy Spirit. 

God commands us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. And we are made up of body, soul, and spirit. Our body is our mind and strength which are our thoughts and action. Our soul is our passions. And our spirit is our heart which is our emotions. So to be passionate about the things of the spirit is to be passionate about the emotions of life especially of those who are around us. If they are weeping we are to weep with them. If they are rejoicing, rejoice with them. And everything in between.  

Heart - emotions
Soul - passions
mind- thoughts
Strength - actions

Body - mind, and strength
Soul - passions
Spirit - heart

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭12:30‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/mrk.12.30.hcsb

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:23‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/1th.5.23.hcsb

The fourth way we are to show family affection is to serve the Lord.  When we serve the Lord we will treat other people with love. With a love that goes beyond you be good to me and I’ll be good to you but that says no matter how you treat me I will love you as Jesus has loved me. I will not stab you in the back. I will not talk about you when you are not around. I will not plot your demise. But I will treat you with more respect then you show me. 


“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:17-20‬ ‭HCSB‬‬
https://www.bible.com/72/rom.12.17-20.hcsb


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