When we make a daily, concerted effort to be productive, or even to be pleasing to God, we can open up great doors of opportunity to be of service to God and to our fellow-man. “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men” (Prov. 22:29). In other words, Solomon is telling us that the general pattern in life is that if we are diligent, we will receive rewards.
The Bible emphasizes in strong words the need to be diligent:
Romans 12:10-11 – “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
This Greek word “Diligent” is used 12 times in the NT. In a few places, it is translated “hurry” (NASV). In 2 Corinthians, the word is translated “earnestness.” In Hebrews 6:11, the writer says, “we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end.” Spiritual laziness turns one’s heart to the world and stops staying faithful to God. It takes diligence to remain faithful until the end.
In 2 Peter 1:5-7, Peter writes: “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”
We need to be diligent to show ourselves approved of God, molded into the image of Christ, and prepared for heaven. Peter wrote: “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you” (2 Peter 1:10-11).
The verb translated “be diligent” is found 11 times in the NT, three times in 2 Timothy, three times in 2 Peter. Let’s read what God has to say about being diligent:
Galatians 2:10 – “They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”
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Ephesians 4:3 – “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:1-3).
2 Tim 2:15 – “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” We see here that diligence in Bible study is a must.
Hebrews 4:11 – “Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”
Again, read Peter’s words: “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you” (2 Peter 3:14-15).
We must stay focused so we can stay prepared. At the conclusion of the parable of the ten virgins, we see this happen: “And while they were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. “Later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for us.’ “But he answered, ‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matt. 25:10-13).
Let us work hard to develop the quality of diligence in our lives. We’ll reap rewards in this life and in the life to come.
Paul Holland
