Romans 12:11 - Who Do You Love?

Can we love someone but refuse to do the things that matter most to them? Can we love them but be too busy to get to know them? No and no. 

That brings us to the command in Romans 12:11: 

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

When we love Jesus—truly love Him—we want our faith to be the passion of our life, and we want to serve the Lord enthusiastically. 

That means we want God’s Word to “dwell in us richly” so everything we say and do is done in Christ (Colossians 3:16-17). 

It means we want to work wholeheartedly at everything we do because we love serving the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). 

When we love God, it’s more than words. 

We act on His commands and seek to do His will (John 14:21; 1 John 3:18; James 2:14-26). 

James reminded us that “even the demons believe” in Jesus (James 2:19). 

Faith isn’t simply about belief. It’s devotion to the One in whom we believe. 

We don’t “earn” our faith, but true faith always leads to actions that please our beloved Lord.

Who do you love? 

💙 Beyond 1-minute for full-text Scriptures and resources 💙 

See Dwelling on Scripture for inspiration to let God's Word dwell in your heart.

Colossians 3:16-17: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  

See How God Views Careers for an encouraging view of your daily tasks.

Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." 

For some wholesome spiritual "food" to eat for the glory of God, see this collection of 1-minute devotions with food analogies: Food for Thought.

1 Corinthians 10:31: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 

In regard to the command below, see Claiming that Sin is No Big Deal.

John 14:21: "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

The passages below command us to "practice what we preach," not simply speaking God's truths but also obeying them. See The Prayer Excuse.  

1 John 3:18: "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."  

James 2:14-26: "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." 

Bible Love Notes