The Pulpit Commentary — Romans — Section 361

THE Oan~BTIAN'e SERVICE. "Not slothful (or,' remise') in diligenCP,," "Bueine&B" is n. mlslea.dmg term, as H seeme to refer to the occupation by which a man gains hie livelihood. It is a quality or habit which is thus designated. I. With regard to the scopo for diligence, there is no limitation; except that, ae a matter of course the employment in which we are to be diligent is to be one which conscience and th; God of conscience approve. The Christian should be diligent in the discharcre of the common duties of life. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Whether the sphere of your activity be in the family and household, in the Church or in what is called secular life, the same rule applies. Let young people especially take advice in this matter, and, remembering the fiight of time, and their responsibility to Heaven be alert and active. 2. How 'Tleedful is this a<lmonition I All men have some, and there are those who have many, temptations to indolence. Natural disposition or the example of idle companions may induce some to remit their efforts. Others may become weary in well-doing, or may be discouraged because all their glowing expecta- tions are not fulfilled; or because they are left, they fancy, to work without sympathy and alone. The work of the Lord may seem so vast, and your powers may seem so limited, that you may be tempted to say, "My exertions are worthless, and can issue in no result; I may as well fold my hands, and wait for some supernatural interposi- tion." But the right spirit is this-Work as if all depended upon you; pray as if all depended upon God. 8. We have in Jesus Christ the motive and the example of diligence. Who can do too much, who can do enough, for him who has done and suffered all for us? His meat and drink were to do the will of him who sent him. Strenuous were his exertions in his earthly ministry; limitless his devotion. "It is enough for the servant that he be as his Master." Learn. therefore, of him. III. We have here described THE FERVENT BPIBIT IN WHICH THE Cm.ISTLL'l"'s SERVICE SHOULD BE DISCHABGED. The same expression, here used with regard to the servants of .the Lord Jesus generally, is used regarding that remarkable man named Apollos (Acts xviii. 25). It may be objected to this admonition that fervour is very much a matter of temperament; and that it would not be reasonable to expect that persons of a calm and equable character should display the same warmth a.s pe=ns naturally excitable and. emotional. In this there is some truth ; yet there may be true fervour without demonstration and noise. A glow of love in the heart may animate the conduct and inspire the efforts even of the tranquil and quiet. It may funher be o~jected that fervent people seldom wear well. We all know persons who have been full of feeling, eager to find fault with methodical and steady hard-workers, loud in their professions of zeal, and abundant in schemes for its display. And we have all kr,own such persons as quick to cool down as to warm up. We have watched their ways, and have found them volatile and fickle; their fine schemes come to nothing; they themselves perhaps make shipwreck; or, at the best, they weary of one plan only to be bot for a. season in promoting another. And perhaps experience has led ns to undervalue ardour, to place no reliance upon the professions of the fervent, and to regard with no confidence the glowing projects of the sanguine. But let us bear in mind that it is not the fervour that is at fault, but the uncertainty of the fiame, and the haste with which it burns out and dies down. The metaphor of the text may give us a hint as to the real truth of t)le matter. 'fhe word used applies to water which is heated to the boiling point. Now, if water be placed in an open vessel, and if heat be applied to it, it soon evaporates in the air-in homely langna,,,o-e, it boils away ; and the heat applied, the fuel consumed, have served no useful purpose. But let the water be poured into the boiler of a steam-ongiue, and then let the furnace be heated. What uow will be the result? Tho fervour becomes po~, the exp..'\nsion of the steam occasions motion; the mDcbinery begins to act, and some useful result is secured. Su in the epiritun.l realm. Lot us have warmth of devotion, love to Christ the Saviour, zeal In the service of God. But let thelll be under the control of Christian wisdom. Let them be applied to purposes of practical piety and benevolence. Let them, instead of evaporating in words, whether of insiucore profession or of insincere devotion, be used according to the counsels of inspiration, the dictates of sober experience, and the holy promptings of the Spirit of God. Whn.t counsel shall llB given t-0 thoso ~l"\.,fes~t!d followers of the Snviour who n.ro ddiciout in spiritunl fon-our? Iu every Christia.n .100iety there nre, it is to be feared, some who, in the judgmeut en.-n of charity, mill!~  860 l'IIE EPISTLE or PAUL '1'0 THE BOMANS. (cu. m.1-2L