Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23
God expects an energetic effort from each of us towards the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our life! If we aren’t going to be passionate about this glorious gospel, then what will we ever be passionate about? This is something to be excited about and to exercise ourselves towards with all of our heart. Lord, let us have a diligent heart in the things you have commanded us to do!
Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:7
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:5-8
Diligence is one of many virtues listed in these verses. It is vital, it is essential. Without diligence we will not succeed in our calling in Christ Jesus. Yet, we must be on the right path before diligence will prosper us. Paul was diligent back when he was called Saul. He persecuted the church with all diligence, yet he was on the wrong path that leads to destruction. Once he met Jesus and became Paul the apostle, his diligence became profitable to God and to mankind. Diligence in the way of righteousness profits much. When you don’t know what to do, diligence becomes impossible. But after God reveals His perfect plan for your life, run the way of His commandments! Do it with diligence, do it with all your heart! We must be diligent in Bible study, in prayer, in Bible memorizing, in love, in fasting, in holiness, in giving and in every other good thing that is named in Jesus Christ. We only get one life to live on this earth. Give all diligence so that you won’t be ashamed before Christ at His 2nd coming! Christ hates slothful servants.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Peter 1:10
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
2 Peter 3:13-14
Without diligence, our salvation is most definitely in question! Make your calling and election in Christ sure. Steadfast. Unmoveable and unshakable. Prioritize your relationship with Christ over the things of this world. Eat and drink the Word of God, sitting at the feet of Jesus like Mary did. Seeing how this present earth is soon to pass away in a great flame of fire, shouldn’t we give all diligence in the things God has commanded us to do? Diligence in Christ needs to become habitual, in that we do it all of the time. When we are just getting started in Christ, our diligence may not always be there. Don’t fear, you are a work in progress and Christ will see to it that you become a mature man or woman of God in ALL THINGS. He makes all things new, including your diligence. Remember, we are only following the example of Jesus Christ, who went about doing good all of the time, serving His Father with all diligence.
God expects YOU to rule your spirit well. He will exhort and He will chastise, but it is up to YOU to give all diligence. Remember, faith IS diligence. It is active, it is moving. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him in faith. Don’t miss out on the glorious rewards God has prepared for you. Seek Him with a pure heart, diligently, all the time, with all zeal and joy. God be with you as you give Him everything you are. Amen.