Diligence is a quality of the soul which in the power of the Holy Spirit will enrich the personality and enlarge one’s capacity in the things of the Lord. Nowhere does Scripture countenance laziness. It was “while men slept the enemy came and sowed tares.”
In the materialistic age in which we live, there is the tendency, so insidious, to settle down among worldly comforts. In proportion as we do this, we shall lose ground spiritually.
Christian, seek not yet repose;
Cast thy dreams of ease away.
Thou art in the midst of foes;
Watch and pray.
Less important pursuits must not be allowed to crowd out private prayer and the personal reading of the Bible, for it will inevitably result in a weakened testimony and ineffective ministry.
Success and achievement in any undertaking depend largely upon the way we employ our time. We are exhorted to buy up the opportunities, and not to allow that noble gift, the mind, to be engaged in base and worthless pursuits. Romans 12 suggests that the body and the mind must be presented constantly to God for renewal and service.
The book of Proverbs makes numerous references to the danger of slothfulness and promises the blessing of God on the diligent (see 10:4; 12:24; 24:30-34). Beyond question the chief things in life are gained by prayer and constant diligence.
A study of appropriate Scriptures in relation to the believer reveals their application to every department of the Christian life. Diligence in the things of God and continuance in faith are the result of a sustained work of grace in the heart. There is the tendency so often to lose heart and give up. Spiritual leaders must be characterized by continuance and endurance even in the face of difficulty and opposition. There must be precept followed by example.
Diligence in Workmanship
“Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15, R.V.). Timothy was charged to safeguard the “deposit,” and to pass on these truths, putting the church in remembrance of these things.” Good workmanship is expected from every believer.
Diligence in Good Works
“God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered unto the saints and do minister. And we desire that each one of you may show the same diligence unto the fullness of hope unto the end, and that ye be not sluggish” (Heb. 6:10-12, R.V.). Faith without works is dead. Constant service to the saints is the result of inward affection. Slothfulness will put the believer to sleep. God-directed service is among the “things which accompany salvation.” An active faith actuated by love will “maintain good works.”
Diligence in Holy Living
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct . . . Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent” (2 Pet. 3:11-14). This diligence will be displayed in our looking for and working towards the fulfilment of His promise. Unbelief will cry: “Where is the promise of His coming? . . . for all things continue as they were from the beginning.” But the Lord is not slack concerning this promise made to His people, and God’s new order will be characterized by universal righteousness. Our diligence will enable us to prepare for and advance its introduction by living a holy life expectantly in the light of His imminent return and calling others to prepare for His coming.
Making our Calling Sure
Appropriating the promises of God is the means employed to make us partakers of the divine nature (v. 4). The grammatical construction of 2 Peter 1:5-10 implies that incorporation is intended rather than addition. We are to give all diligence to see that faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love are embodied within our Christian character as being called alongside simultaneously; not just as a process of addition. For this reason the word says: “If these things be in you and abound . . . ye shall be not barren nor unfruitful.” Any lack of these virtues in the believer will produce a corresponding blindness and unfruitfulness (v. 9). Our only safety is to be diligent to make our calling and election sure by rising to the position to which God’s grace has brought us and seek in the Spirit’s enabling to show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end (Heb. 6:11).
Diligence in Christian Progress
Timothy is encouraged “to be a good minister of Jesus Christ and to engage in that form of exercise which is profitable for the life that now is and for that which is to come.” (1 Tim. 4:8-16 R.V.). This passage gives specific instructions to all who aspire to any public ministry in the church. Such are commanded to be “examples to the believers in word, manner of life, in love, faith and purity,” and to give himself to “reading, to exhortation, to teaching.”
Neither must the believer neglect any gift endowed by the Lord. The believer must seek to “excel for the edifying of the church.” Therefore, “be diligent in these things: Give thyself wholly to them . . . continue in these things . . . So that thy progress is clearly seen.” The progress here suggests “striking forward” or “cutting one’s path” against opposition, and this can only be achieved by diligence. We must not merely wish for success, but win it. It is attained by “pressing forward and reaching forth unto the prize.”
Finally, says the apostle, “Take heed to thyself and to thy teaching.” Such are assured that in doing this “thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee” (v. 16). Let’s be diligent in the things of the Lord.