Why Be Diligent?

Author : Vivian Gordon
When I think of diligence, being stable, patient and strong
come to my mind. I guess that's why it's so hard to go on a
diet, or quit smoking or to start exercising. We know if we
veer off the path, we won't make it and our attempts will be
futile.As a teacher in the Word, I sometimes repeat my messages
because I feel there is something that the Holy Spirit wants
me to say because some are not diligently preparing
themselves for their victorious Christian walk. It's not that I'm
totally victorious either, but I do keep striving to learn more
and understand this walk that I've commited myself to. It
takes constant reminding of what God says and expects
from me. So, therefore in order for the body of Christ to grow
as one, we must all make a conscious effort to dig our
heels into God's instructions and live by them or else, we
will be lacking in faith, strength, trust and even God's grace
in our lives.God knew we would all have spiritual battles so He gave us
the full armor to put on for these battles. If we don't use them
we will surely fall in the fight. You can read more about them
in Ephes. 6. I go over these weapons occasionally because
we all need reminded of them.But, along with knowing about the armor, we must not only
be ready spiritualy for the battle at hand, but we must also
get prepared ahead of time with diligence to know that the
battles will come. No one will escape the grip of the enemy.
This is a given fact for all Christians and non Christians
alike. But the ones who are walking close with the Lord are
the ones he targets out to destroy first.In his letter to warn the people about false prophets and
teachers in Second Peter, Peter knew he was about to be
killed for his belief in the Christ. He wanted to warn other
Christians about their duties to remain strong in their beliefs
as well.He starts out by stating that we have all been given the
Grace of God, His favor and His peace, which is for our well
being, it's necessary and good for all spiritual prosperity.
His Grace frees us from fears and moral conflicts. He says
that God's Grace will be multiplied in us through His correct
and precise knowledge. (2 Pt. 2:2)God Himself bestows all of His attributes on us which are
pefect and suited to live a life of godliness because He
gives us the knowledge of Himself and has called us for His
own glory, virtue and excellence. (2 Pt. 2:3)In the next verse, Peter says that God bestowed on us His
great promises in order to escape moral decay and
corruption in this world. People tend to go astray because of
greed, and sexual immorality. So, God gave us His
knowledge of knowing His divine nature to save us from
eternal damnation. (2 Pt. 2:4)As a result, we should be diligent in seeking His godliness
in our own lives. This takes every effort in developing our
virtue. This is our resolution, our excellence and takes all
our Christian energy to achieve. So in other words, it takes
alot of time and effort on our part to grow in knowledge of
God's Word. (2 Pt. 2:5)Once we become familiar with God's ways, we then have to
take some steps to succeed in our growing knowledge, it
doesn't end there. Next we need to develop our self control.
We can no longer do the foolish things we once did and not
be convicted. We need to be prudent and wise. When we put
that to use, we develop patience and endurance. By being
patient in waiting for things we will grow stronger that God is
the One who supplies all our needs when we truly need
them. Then we exercise those things in order to develop in
godliness. This shows the world that we are set apart, we
aren't like them anymore. (2 Pt. 2:6)Peter continues by saying that with this godliness, we can't
help but develop affection for others. This will in turn cause
us to exercise our Christian love. This is what truly sets us
apart from the world. Those who live for themselves can't
fathom what it would be like to put someone else ahead of
themselves. Face it, that just doesn't happen unless
someone has been given the knowledge of God first. (2 Pt.
2:7)It's wonderful news that when we exercise and use these
virtues, they will begin to increase in us day by day. We get
stronger because we have built up those muscles, not
physical but spiritual ones. By being strong in these things,
we will not fall idle into the hands of the enemy. We can't
help but produce the good fruits that come from being
strong in knowing God's Word. All these things I just
mentioned will make us trustworthy, patient and kind, we
will love our neighbors as ourselves and this is what God
considers to be a true Christian. (2 Pt. 2:8)For whoever does not display these qualities is blind as far
as their spiritual sight goes. This person will only see what
is right in front of him, which is the world and he will soon
forget what Christ did for him on the Cross. This spiritual
blindness will lead to a major backslide into the world. (2 Pt.
2:9)Peter tells us that for this reason we must be all that much
more eager to strengthen ourselves, to be diligent in our
calling and our election. Remember, God chose us for His
own. By being determined in knowing and doing these
things, we will not stumble and fall. God has promised to be
by our side in all our battles. (2 Pt. 2:10)And glory be to God because when we run our race to the
diligent end, we will gain entrance into His eternal kingdom
because we were strong and diligent and never looked back
or listened to the lies that the enemy tried to tell us.It's alot of work, but as the saying goes anything worth doing
is. It will bring much more than personal satisfaction, it will
bring God glory and it will touch others along the way and
will inspire them also. We all need to set examples.In order to be able to truly love others, we must have a heart
of obedience to God.Vivian Gordon is led by the power of the Holy Spirit to write
and teach on the things that God knows will strengthen
others in their Christian walk. He knows we are all going
through battles, but He also gives us the wisdom and the
armor for the fight.
Keyword : Diligence, Spirituality, Christianity, Knowledge, Exercise, Patience, Love, Understanding, Christ