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BE DILIGENT

Boyce Mouton · 9 pages · 4,904 words

BE DILIGENT

“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:10)

When you become a Christian the Holy Spirit gives you a special “calling” or “gift”. Just as there are different members in our human body, there are also different members in the Body of Christ. (See Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; etc.) God chooses what part of the Body each member will be. If a part of your body does not work you are to some degree handicapped. With great effort you can walk on your hands, but you will never run a 4 minute mile on your hands. Hidden inside of our bodies are internal organs that are absolutely essential to life. You cannot live, for example, without your brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs. It is important that every member of your human body functions correctly in order for you to live and function as you should. The same is true of the Body of Christ. “If” you are diligent to make your calling an election sure you will never fall! Further, performing the tasks God has given you will also keep others from failing! Your “calling” helps the Body of Christ to function as it should!

The word translated as “be all the more eager” in our text is the Greek word “spoudazo”. It means to “make haste”, “to make an effort”, and to be “diligent.” It is found 11 time in the Bible and every reference regards the importance of “making an effort” and being “diligent”. While there are many other words emphasizing diligence in the Bible, here are the 11 instances where “spoudazo” is used.

The word is used two times in Galatians 2:10 to emphasize that Paul was eager and diligent to remember the poor.
We are all to be eager and diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3).
Paul was eager and diligent to see his brethren in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:17).
We are all to be eager and diligent to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15).
Timothy was to be eager and diligent to come to Paul before winter (2 Timothy 4:21).
Titus was to be eager and diligent to come to Paul in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12).
We are to be eager and diligent to enter into our eternal rest (Hebrews 4:11).
We are to be eager and diligent to make our calling an election sure (2 Peter 1:10).
Peter was eager and diligent that the brethren remember certain things after he died (2 Peter 1:15).
All people are to be eager and diligent to be found in Christ in peace, without spot, and blameless (2 Peter 3:14).

Lazy and irresponsible people are not pleasing to God. The man with 5 talents was diligent and gained 5 talents more. The man with 2 talents was diligent and gained 2 talents more. Both of these “faithful” servants were rewarded. The man with 1 talent did nothing with his talent. Therefore it was taken away from him and given to the man with 10 talents. Then the unprofitable servant was condemned for being “wicked,” “lazy,” and “worthless”. (Matthew 25:14-30).

We must all be eager and diligent to make our calling an election sure!

THE EXAMPLE OF PAUL

Paul was set apart from birth to preach to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-16; 2:7).
Paul was specifically designated as an “apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13; 1 Timothy 2:7).
The word “apostle” literally refers to “one who is sent”. There are 3 levels of apostles mentioned in the Bible:
# 1 – The Apostle of God! Jesus was sent by God and is therefore called “The apostle and high priest whom we confess.” (Hebrews 3:1).
# 2 – The Apostles of Christ! The 12 apostles were an elite group specifically sent out by Jesus (Luke 6:12-16). These men were especially empowered by Jesus to work “signs, wonders, and miracles” (2 Corinthians 12:12). Paul was clear that he was an apostle of Jesus just like Peter, James, and John. He wrote to the Galatians: “Paul, an apostle – sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.” (Galatians 1:1)
# 3 - Apostles of the church! Barnabas was not specifically sent out by Jesus like Peter, James, and John, but was sent out by the church at Antioch. He was therefore an apostle of the church (Acts 14:14). Epaphroditus was also a “messenger” (same word as apostle) of the church in Philippi (Philippians 2:25). 2 Corinthians 8:23 also mentions “messengers” (same word as apostles) of the churches. Etc.
No one today is an apostle of God like Jesus, or an apostle of Christ like the 12. We still have people, however, who are sent forth by the church. Instead of calling them “apostles,” however, we usually call them “missionaries.”
As we have said, Paul had a unique calling. Jesus appeared to Paul on the Road to Damascus and said: “‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” (Acts 26:15-18)
In Damascus God sent a disciple named Ananias to heal Paul of his blindness: “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” (Acts 9:15-19)
Yes! Paul had a special calling! Not only did Jesus empower him to perform signs, wonders, and miracles, but he was also inspired to write more books of the Bible than any other man.
No one today can write Scriptures or be an apostle like Paul.

YET PAUL STILL HAD TO BE DILIGENT!

Even though Paul had a special “calling” from his mother’s womb to be an apostle to the Gentiles, he still had to be diligent! Since the Grecian Games were played at Corinth the church there

would be familiar with the rigorous exercise and diligence it takes to become an Olympic champion. Paul applied the same rigorous standards to the church in Corinth and also to himself: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body Sand make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

YES - THE CORINTHIANS ALSO HAD TO BE DILIGENT!

Paul congratulated the church at Corinth because they did not lack in any spiritual gift! He wrote: “I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:4-9)

The Corinthians were “called” to be holy. “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:2)
To those whom God has “called”, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Paul asked them: “Brothers. Think of what you were when you were ‘called’” (1 Corinthians 1:26)
“He who was a slave when he was ‘called’ by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was ‘called’ is Christ’s slave.” (1 Corinthians 7:22)
Etc.

In order to convince the Corinthians that they needed to be diligent Paul not only reminded them of the Grecian Games, but he also reminded them of the Israelites. Yes! The Israelites were also the “called” and the “chosen” people of God. Here is what Moses told the Israelites: “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Deuteronomy7:6-9)

There is no doubt that the Israelites were the “called” and “chosen” people of God, yet many of them were not diligent and never made it to the Promised Land. Paul explained that while God delivered “all” of them out of Egypt, God was not pleased with “most” of them. Please consider: “For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for

they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)

Please note that this warning in 1 Corinthians 10 immediately follow Paul’s own warning in the last verses of chapter 9. There is obviously a danger that even the chosen ones will be disqualified if they are not diligent!

Not only did Paul, the Corinthians, and the Israelites have to be diligent, everyone has to be diligent!

JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES

As we have mentioned, Jesus “chose” the 12 apostles after praying all night long (Luke 6:12- 16). Just because you are “chosen” by God, however, does not mean that you don’t have to be diligent.

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are so similar that they are called the “Synoptic Gospels”. The word “synoptic” literally means “seen together.” John’s Gospel, however, is different. John wrote later than the others and concentrated on things that they didn’t mention. In fact, one third of John’s Gospel deals with the last week of Jesus’ life, and chapters 13 – 19 describe only his last 24 hours. Hopefully you will take the time to read the whole Gospel, but for now we will concentrate on John chapter 15. While all of the Scriptures are inspired by God and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), we will focus on John chapter 15 for it makes clear that even the eleven “chosen” apostles needed to be diligent and “abide” in Jesus.

(Brief summary of John chapter 15)

We are told in John 13:21-30 that Judas had already left the upper room to betray Jesus.
John 14:31 tells us that sometime later Jesus also left the upper room.
As they left the upper room and started walking toward the Garden of Gethsemane, it is assumed that they passed through a vineyard.
This prompted Jesus to say: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (verses 1-2)
Having just lost Judas Jesus admonished them: “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by
itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” (verses 3-4)
We know that Judas did not “remain in Jesus” and was lost because Jesus said so. Jesus said this to the Father: “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” (John 17:12).
As we have mentioned before: “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” (Luke 6:12-13)
Judas was “called” and “chosen” but he did not “remain” in Jesus. Therefore Jesus encouraged the others to “remain” in him. Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (verses 5- 8)
Love is the key to “remaining” in Jesus so he said: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (verses 9-10)
Jesus warned them that they would be persecuted (verses 18-21).
This fulfilled the Scripture: “They hated me without a cause.” (v. 25)
The promised to send the “Counselor,” that is the “Holy Spirit,” Who would help them to abide in the Vine and testify about Jesus (verses 26-27).
The Scriptures also promise that God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear, but will always provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:12-13).
Nobody forced Judas to follow Jesus. He “chose” to do so of his own free will. Nobody forced Judas to betray Jesus. He “chose” to do so of his own free will. God did not allow Judas to be tempted beyond what he was able to bear, but gave him many chances to escape from the snares of the devil.
Sadly, Judas chose not to “remain” with Jesus, but allowed Satan to enter into him (John 13:17).
Peter denied Jesus three times but repented of his sins and “remained” with the other apostles. Peter was in the upper room when Jesus appeared there on the day of His resurrection (John 20:19-23). Peter “remained” constantly with the other apostles for forty days as Jesus appeared to them and spoke about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Peter was in the upper room and “remained” with the 120 waiting on the HolySpirit to come (Acts 1:12-26). Peter was then privileged to preach on Pentecost and lead 3,000 new converts to Christ (Acts 2:17-41).
Judas chose not to return to the upper room and “remain” with the others. Instead he “chose” to go away and hang himself (Matthew 27:5).
What will you choose?

THE EXAMPLE OF THE EPHESIANS

The temple of the goddess Artemis was located in Ephesus and it was considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. When Paul preached in Ephesus a silversmith named Demetrius

made silver shrines to this goddess. When so many Ephesians stopped buying idols Demetrius started a riot that involved the whole city (Acts 19:23-41).

Paul immediately left but later returned to Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem with offerings for the poor saints in Judea. He warned the elders at Ephesus: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” (Acts 20:28-31)

Later Paul would write to the Ephesians: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you. Be very careful, then, how you live – not as fools but as wise, making most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish., but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:14-17)

The Greek word translated as “be very careful” is “akribos” from which we get out word “acrobat.” The first part of the word is from “akros” which means “highest.” The last part of the word is from “bainein” which means “to go”. If you are an acrobat doing things high above the ground, you must be diligent in order to stay alive.

Sadly, the church at Ephesus left their first love and if they did nor repent Jesus promised to come and remove their lamp stand out of it’s place (Revelation 2:4-5).

WE CAN HELP ONE ANOTHER

It is believed that 1 Thessalonians was Paul’s first inspired letter. After only three Sabbath days Paul was driven out of the city (Acts 17:1-10). Not long afterward Paul wrote to the Thessalonians from Corinth and said: “You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

Every chapter of this short letter makes reference to the second coming of Christ (1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:16-18; 5:1-4)

Since no one knows exactly when Jesus is coming again Paul wrote: “Let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self controlled.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Even though Paul had only been in Thessalonica for a short time he had wisely placed men in positions of leadership. He therefore wrote: “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we

urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” (Thessalonians 5:12-15)

Note that those in need are divided into three groups. One group needed to be “warned”. The second needed to be “encouraged.” The third needed to be “helped”. We are, of course, to “be patient with everyone” regardless of their needs.

The phrase “one another” flows like a beautiful river through all of the New Testament Scriptures. Here are a few examples:

We are to love one another (John 13:34-35).
Honor one another (Romans 12:10).
Welcome one another (Romans 15:7).
Show hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9).
Live in harmony with one another (Romans 15:5).
Be kind to one another and forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32).
Bear with one another (Ephesians 4:2-3).
Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).
Comfort one another (2 Corinthians 13:11).
Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25).
Confess to one another (James 5:16).
Pray for one another (James 5:16).
Encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25).
Build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13).
Instruct one another (Romans 15:14).
Teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16).
Sing with one another (Ephesians 5:19).
Stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).
Do good to one another (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10).
Wait for one another (1 Corinthians 11:33).
And do not speak evil against one another (James 4:11).
TRULY WE NEED ONE ANOTHER IN ORER TO BE DILIGENT!

BE FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 1:10)

It is easy to be faithful until you have a problem, or are persecuted, but the Scriptures admonish us to be faithful until death. In this regard Jesus is our example. “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Starting the race is commendable, but those who quit the race are not rewarded. In this regard, Jesus didn’t quit! When He came down to the last few days of His life He had a lot of opportunities to quit. He knew Judas was going to betray Him, but He let him do it anyhow. He could have given up in Gethsemane, but He didn’t do it! He could have called twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, but He didn’t do it. Jesus didn’t quit!

“Come down from the cross” was the sarcastic challenge of those who cried out for His crucifixion. But Jesus didn’t do it! Jesus didn’t quit! With every sinew and nerve in His bleeding body crying out for respite and rest He didn’t quit! Jesus was faithful until death! While the sun hid it’s face in amazement and the earth trembled at the awesome spectacle of Calvary, Jesus Christ was faithful and true until His last responsibility had been faithfully completed. Then He cried out with a loud voice: “It is finished!” Then, and only then could He release His grasp upon life and yield up His Spirit to God! Then, and only then was it permissible for Him to relax His vigil and surrender to the shroud of death. It was finished! He had completed the work that God had given Him to do. The game of life was over and Jesus had won! But Jesus didn’t quit!

When I catch a glimpse of the courageous Christ I am challenged to hang in there for another day. When my eyes are blurred with sweat and tears I am emboldened by Christ to keep on trying. I somehow want to take another step when I remember that I am following in the footprints of Jesus. When the wet blankets of discouragement and doubt threaten to overwhelm my soul and smother out the flame of what little faith I have, I take another look at Calvary and smile with the confidence that Jesus didn’t quit, and I don’t have to quit either!

What a blessing it is to know in my heart of hearts that He that is within me is greater than he that is in the world. The Sovereign of the Universe has written me a promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. His Holy Word declares that I will never be tempted above what I am able to bear. I can be “more than a conqueror” through Him that loved me. I really don’t have to quit. Every resource in heaven and earth has been marshaled by God to ensure my victory. Nothing can separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus my Lord.

The crown of life is not for those who start the race, but rather for those who complete it. The race of life is run before the inquiring eyes of angelic hosts and redeemed men. Through us the principalities and powers in heavenly places observe the manifold wisdom of God. Even the angels are vitally interested in what we do and rejoice each time a sinner is brought to repentance. Jesus didn’t quit, and I don’t have to quit either. I can fight another round, play another inning, run another mile, teach another lesson, preach another sermon, pray another prayer, make another call, turn the other cheek, write another check . . . I DON’T HAVE TO QUIT!

The Bible has good news for us sinners. Jesus wants us to be saved. Peter denied Christ three times, but he got another chance. The prodigal son wasted his substance in a far country but he got another chance. They brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery, but she got another chance. God is long suffering toward us and is not willing that any should perish but that all come to repentance. Even God, however, cannot save a quitter! If Judas had only come to the cross he could have been graciously forgiven. Whoever comes to Jesus was never be cast out. Judas, however, didn’t give Jesus a chance to forgive him. He gave up on God and he also gave up on himself. He quit like a coward and his name will forever be associated with infamy.

Don’t quit like Judas! When the going gets tough the Spirit intercedes with new power and strength. If you are diligent and faithful unto death you will receive the crown of life! Jesus didn’t quit on you, don’t you quit on Him!