Diligence seems to be a missing quality today. Perhaps busyness, lack or work ethic, or simply laziness are to blame. Diligence, however, is not optional but rather commanded in God’s Word.
Diligence in what?
Paul had just written to Timothy about personal integrity, devotion to the Word, and using his spiritual gifts (1 Tim. 4:12-14).
- Carefully attend to your heart. Character matters.
- Take great pains to keep the Word central. Truth matters.
- Faithfully use what you have been given to serve. Stewardship matters.
What does it look like to be diligent?
Look at the surrounding words: give yourself wholly to them, watch closely, persevere in them
That is total absorption, not just doing enough to get by or to look good.
What are the benefits of being diligent?
What you do, or don’t do, not only affects your own life but others as well, which is why diligence is so important.
Personal Benefit:
Progress – You grow or advance.
Protection – You save yourself from many dangers.
Benefit to Others:
Pattern – They have an example when they look at your life.
Protection – They learn from you and avoid the hazards as well.
(Note: When verse 16 says “you will save both yourself and your hearers” it cannot refer to atonement for sin as Scripture clearly proclaims that only Jesus can save in that way. Rather, carefully attending to these things serves as a deterrent, preventative, and protection from so much that can beset us, hold us back, or bring ruin to our lives and testimonies.)
Diligence then, is not only a matter of obedience but it is also profitable. Let’s ask God to help us to be more diligent as we serve in the church and community, parent our children, and live to the glory of God in the workplace because character, truth, and stewardship matter in all of these settings, in whatever we do.
How do you reconcile such all out effort on our part with how God’s supposed to be 100% in us?
Thanks for your question, Terry. I suppose this could sound like a 90-10 approach (or whatever percentages you want to assign) but it really isn’t. First, let’s remember that God is the One who is telling us to be diligent. God will never contradict Himself. So, let’s reconcile Scripture with Scripture. Following are two passages that should bring some clarity:
Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Now, if we don’t yield to Him, rarely pray, fail to regularly look to Him as the source of our strength, then it will not be 100% God. But if, as a branch draws its sustenance from the vine, we rely on Him, though we are doing branch-like work, He is really the One making it possible for us to do what we do. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13).
Let me suggest that you take a look at this article: Is Maximizing Your Ministry a Biblical or Worldly Concept?