DILIGENCE

Roy Clark

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” –  Hebrews 11:6.

A thought sometimes overlooked in this verse is that of diligence. We know that the only way to please God is through faith, and that He is the rewarder of those that seek Him. But do we always bear in mind that it is diligently seeking Him that brings the results? The word “diligence” in this place means to investigate; seek out: or to scrutinize for oneself.

First of all then, God wants us to seek Him out for ourselves. He wants us to scrutinize and investigate for ourselves, not just taking another’s word and assuming that what they say about God is all that is necessary. It is only as we seek Him through His Word that our faith is established.

In I Peter 1:9-12, Peter speaks of the salvation which “the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come: and “searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ…did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.” If the prophets sought diligently this salvation which was not for them but for us today, how much more we should investigate for ourselves this wonderful Gospel of the Grace of God.

In Acts 18:25, it is said of Apollos – “This man was instructed in the way…and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord.” This word diligently means “accurately: or exactly.” So we see the importance of an accurate understanding of the Word. We get this by studying the Word and asking the Holy Spirit to reveal it to our hearts.

We find another thought about diligence in Hebrews 6:11-12. “And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” This word means “earnestness: with haste or dispatch.” Surely we want to be running this race with all earnestness and eagerness and haste, utilizing our time and believing God to strengthen us as He continually reveals Himself to us.