DUTY, APATHY, AND ZEAL--the readings

Over the next undecided number of days, I will be doing a hopefully-daily lectio on the following definitions and passages. In recent months I have felt bound by duty rather than zeal. I have not yet reached apathy and I am committed to it avoidance. So, I am praying and thinking and following my call and challenging those in ministry with me to join me in this.

Duty:

An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion.

Apathy:

Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.

Zeal:

Enthusiastic devotion to a cause, ideal, or goal and tireless diligence in its furtherance.

Numbers 25:6-13

And behold, one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family, in the sight of Moses and in the sight of the whole congregation of the people of Israel, while they were weeping in the entrance of the tent of meeting. When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.

And the LORD said to Moses, "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.'"

Romans 12:9-13

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Tag(s): ministry lectio

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“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/