Bible Ballistics: BBs #355   The Importance Of Diligence???

 

Continuing in our pursuit of wisdom for living, we will consider the 2^nd of the 5 D’s that we looked at last time: Debt, Diligence, Discernment, Decency, and Dependence. Diligence.

DILIGENCE– “Careful and persistent work or effort”.

Jesus’ return is nearer than ever before, and in anticipation of seeing Him face-to-face, we must remember that we will give an account for the life that we are living for Him. To be found faithful in our walk, and persistent in our loyalty and obedience to God each day, we must exercise diligence!

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye,

being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

³⁵ A good man

out of the good treasure

of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man

out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

³⁶ But I say unto you,

That every idle word

that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

³⁷ For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37

Oh, how this rings in my heart! Oh, the times I have been guilty of wasting my words (or using inappropriate words at inappropriate times), or using words for my benefit rather than the glory of God. I am reminded that “The Word” is Jesus, and that His presence in my life, in the person of The Holy Spirit, should be reflected in my words. I am to diligently watch, look and listen to what I am saying, as well as what I am accomplishing with my words. Am I truly speaking the “Words of Life” or am I speaking “Words of Death” to others as I walk through life each day—causing harm or spreading the “Word of God” in love?

“Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? ⁶⁸ Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:67-69

“Now ye are clean

through the word

which I have spoken unto you……

⁷ If ye abide in me,

and my words abide in you,

ye shall ask what ye will,

and it shall be done unto you.

⁸ Herein is my Father glorified,

that ye bear much fruit;

so shall ye be my disciples.

⁹ As the Father hath loved me,

so have I loved you:

continue ye in my love.” John 15:3 & 7-9

We are to diligently seek to reflect the glory and love of Jesus in all our ways. Many times our words betray us! Yet we must continue to yield our heart to The Holy Spirit who will guide us and teach us HIS ways. Our words are powerful tools which can spread love or they can spread harm. We must guard our hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

The heart is the seat of our emotions, our desires –our life. If you don’t guard your heart, no one else will. It takes continual “work/effort” to truly guard our heart. Do it-–it will determine your present and future!!!

Peter tells us how to keep our hearts right with God and others. We must keep our “eyes on Jesus”, remembering what He has done, and what He has given to us through His precious blood, which was shed for our salvation.

“Whereby are given unto us

exceeding great and precious promises:

that by these

ye might be partakers

of the divine nature,

having escaped the corruption

that is in the world through lust.

5 And beside this,

giving all diligence,

add to your faith virtue;                        

and to virtue knowledge;                

6 And to knowledge temperance;

and to temperance patience;              

and to patience godliness;” 2 Peter 1:4-6

And in closing, Jude also calls us to live with earnest diligence, remembering that we are in a battle for the hearts and souls of men, women, boys and girls. Will we “contend for the faith” earnestly? Or will we be found “playing possum” while the world continues to buy the lies of the enemy?

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”   Jude 1:3

Be ready–walking God’s way; standing unashamed; growing in those things in Peter’s list; looking up; and living in light of His coming—Debt free & Diligent! And we’ll consider “Discernment” next time! Have a blessed day today as you diligently and earnestly seek to follow Jesus!