Bible Thoughts

November 11, 2001

The original word for diligence carries the meaning of "to hasten to do a thing, to exert oneself, endeavor..."(Vine). Perhaps it does no violence to the passage to say it would include to be enthusiastic. The enthusiasm, however, must be put into action. If ever there existed a people who needed to be hastening to do right and exerting ourselves in the cause of truth and righteousness, it is Christians. Can one insure his salvation unless he is willing to "give more diligence" in making one's calling and election sure?

We are zealous when it comes to many pursuits in the secular realm. We, too often, are not as diligent as we should be when it comes to the practice of righteousness and the work of God's people. We are willing to contribute time, effort, and finances to those endeavors of this life. Are we as enthusiastic to engage in spiritual activities? Do we support the work of the church or do we criticize any new effort to spread the truth? Are we willing to make a sacrifice to see that others have an opportunity to hear the truth? How much "diligence" do we have for the Lord's cause?

The church has been infected, at times, with those who are negative toward any proposal to enlarge efforts to spread the truth of God's word. A lack of enthusiasm to explore new ground(in a scriptural manner) is too often met with, "Well, we have gotten along all right so far, why should we try something different?" Such reminds this writer of one who said, in expressing the problem with an indifferent attitude, "Well, we are all good folks here at Laodicea." We need to "give diligence" to exploring all of the opportunities to share the truth of God with those who are lost. Let us be open to scriptural suggestions that will help to "make our calling and election sure."

We often spend much time in those things that are cosmetic in nature while failing to engage in those efforts that will teach others the truth. A comfortable building, a smooth and orderly service, and like amenities, are great and totally acceptable. Yet, if we have not reached the community in our efforts in evangelism, we need to identify ways in which we can effectively spread the truth by putting them into practice.

Let us remember that the early disciples "went every where preaching the word"(Acts 8:4). Success at teaching is directly related to the amount of diligence that is expended.

In this account of the deeds of Jesus, Jesus had come across a man sitting at the gate. This man was blind since birth and had been placed at the gate that he might beg. Jesus healed the man so that the works of God might be made known. When the Pharisees began questioning the man, trying to prove that Jesus was a sinner(for he had healed the man on the Sabbath), the man replied as quoted.

We can learn many lessons from the man’s response, “Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” Often times, if we are working for Christ as we should, we are going to be confronted with questions or criticisms about Christ and the Bible for which we have no answer. Though we know that we are to ”Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”(1 Thessalonians 5:21), and to “…prove what is that good, and acceptable, and the perfect will of God"(Romans 12:2b), sometimes our knowledge or understanding is not up to the task. When such a thing happens we have two choices: we can choose to trust God or we can let these things worm their way into our heart and mind and choke out our faith.

It is our duty to Christ and to God to study and strive to understand the things that he has provided us. We are to take an active role in learning the Word of God. Just as the schoolteacher said, “You can’t learn by osmosis. You can’t learn by placing the book under your pillow at night and hoping that all that knowledge will just soak in,” so it is with us—we can’t learn by sleeping in the pews, hoping knowledge will just “soak in." We have to take an active role in learning, we have to listen when we are being taught and we have to make our own opportunities to learn.

At the same time, we have to understand that the way of Christ is just that: a way. It’s an ongoing process, a continuous journey. Because of that, there are going to come times when we just don’t know what the answer is because we haven’t had the chance to learn it yet. During such times we must realize that it is good to say for an answer: “…because I believe.” When Thomas doubted Christ’s resurrection and then was able to touch him. Christ said, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed”(John 20:29). If we, having not seen, believe, then from the very mouth of Christ we shall be blessed.

Just as Christ opened the eyes of the blind man’s body, so Christ opens the eyes of our spirit that we no longer will be blind spiritually. And like the blind man whose sight was restored, if we have no better answer we should not be afraid to reply, “…one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”-Scott Huston