Definition and Meaning:
Ardour refers to intense enthusiasm, passion, or zeal. In a biblical context, it often describes the fervent devotion and earnestness that believers are encouraged to exhibit in their faith and service to God. This concept is closely related to zeal, fervor, and earnestness, which are frequently mentioned in Scripture.

Biblical References and Context:
While the specific term "ardour" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative. The Bible frequently calls believers to exhibit a passionate commitment to God and His commandments.

1. Zeal for God:
The Bible often speaks of zeal, which is akin to ardour, as a desirable trait for believers. In Romans 12:11, Paul exhorts the church, "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." This verse highlights the importance of maintaining a passionate and enthusiastic spirit in serving God.

2. Love for God and Others:
Ardour is also reflected in the greatest commandments, as Jesus states in Matthew 22:37-39: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" The intensity of love commanded here is a form of ardour, calling for wholehearted devotion and passion in relationships with God and others.

3. The Example of Jesus:
Jesus Himself exemplified ardour in His ministry. His zeal for God's house is noted in John 2:17, "His disciples remembered that it is written: ‘Zeal for Your house will consume Me.’" This reference to Psalm 69:9 underscores Jesus' passionate commitment to the purity and purpose of the temple, reflecting His ardent devotion to the Father.

4. The Early Church:
The early Christians demonstrated ardour in their faith and community life. Acts 2:42-47 describes their devotion: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer... And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Their fervent commitment to spiritual disciplines and communal life exemplifies ardour in action.

5. Warnings Against Lukewarmness:
The Bible also warns against a lack of ardour. In Revelation 3:15-16, the church in Laodicea is admonished: "I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of My mouth." This passage serves as a caution against complacency and calls for a rekindling of spiritual fervor.

Theological Implications:
Ardour in the Christian life is not merely emotional enthusiasm but is rooted in a deep, abiding love for God and a commitment to His purposes. It involves a wholehearted dedication that impacts every aspect of a believer's life, from worship and service to relationships and personal conduct. The Scriptures encourage believers to cultivate this ardour through the Holy Spirit, who empowers and sustains their zeal for God.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas where ardour may be lacking and to seek renewal through prayer, Scripture study, and fellowship with other believers. Engaging in spiritual disciplines and actively participating in the life of the church can help maintain and grow one's ardour for God.

How Love Produces Zeal.
... So that, to describe it properly, zeal is no other thing than love in its
ardour, or rather the ardour that is in love. And therefore ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xii how love produces.htm

How Love is Practised in Hope.
... unhooded falcon having her prey in view suddenly launches herself upon the wing,
and if held in her leash struggles upon the hand with extreme ardour; so faith ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xvi how love is.htm

Prayer and Devotion
... thing. The ardour of devotion is in prayer. ... "They rest not day nor night."
What zeal! What unfainting ardour and ceaseless rapture! The ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iii prayer and devotion.htm

Conclusion.
... its place"the picture of what was to be some years later when that impetuous spirit
had been tamed and chastened, when age had damped the ardour though it ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xxvi conclusion.htm

Of Ecstacies and Divine Revelations
... By this fierce ardour and this impatience some men are at times caught into the
spirit, above the senses; and there words are spoken to them and images and ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxiv of ecstacies and.htm

An Example Showing How one is Hindered in this Exercise
... of the Divine rays burns so fiercely and so hotly from above, and the heart wounded
by love is so inflamed from within"since the ardour of affection and the ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxv an example showing.htm

That the Preceding Desire Will Much Increase the Union of the ...
... which, hard set by the hounds, has neither wind nor legs; how greedily he plunges
himself into the waters which he panted after, and with what ardour he rolls ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x that the preceding.htm

Through Lust Original Sin is Transmitted; Venial Sins in Married ...
... wife), yet, whenever it comes to the actual process of generation, the very embrace
which is lawful and honourable cannot be effected without the ardour of lust ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 27 xxiv through lust original.htm

Augustin not the Deviser of Original Sin.
... Book II. Chapter 25 [XII.]"Augustin Not the Deviser of Original Sin. "This sexual
connection of bodies," he says, "together with the ardour, with the pleasure ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 25 xii augustin not the.htm

Prayer and Desire
... A lack of ardour in prayer, is the sure sign of a lack of depth and of intensity
of desire; and the absence of intense desire is a sure sign of God's absence ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/iv prayer and desire.htm

Ardour (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ardour (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 9:2 ... her
desire! In her ardour, who shall turn her away? All they ...
/a/ardour.htm - 7k

Flocks (128 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 And it came to pass at the time of the ardour of the flocks, that
I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams that leaped ...
/f/flocks.htm - 38k

Ringstraked (5 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 And it came to pass at the time of the ardour of the flocks, that
I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams that leaped ...
/r/ringstraked.htm - 8k

Macedonians (3 Occurrences)
... to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have
been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour...
/m/macedonians.htm - 7k

Pointing (13 Occurrences)
... to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have
been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour...
/p/pointing.htm - 10k

Are (41649 Occurrences)

/a/are.htm - 7k

Ardon (1 Occurrence)

/a/ardon.htm - 7k

Spotted (9 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:10 And it came to pass at the time of the ardour of the flocks, that
I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams that leaped ...
/s/spotted.htm - 12k

Spurred (3 Occurrences)
... to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have
been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour...
/s/spurred.htm - 7k

Habitually (43 Occurrences)
... to the Macedonians, pointing out to them that for a whole year you in Greece have
been ready; and the greater number of them have been spurred on by your ardour...
/h/habitually.htm - 18k

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