Giving All Diligence
(week 15/03)
Olubi Johnson
In Heb 2.1 we are exhorted to give more earnest heed to the things concerning our salvation in Christ lest we should let them slip.
Hebrew 2:1(KJV): Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
We will not let these things slip if we give diligence to spiritual things. In fact, the scripture tells us in:
2 Peter 1:10(KJV): Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
So by giving diligence we can make our calling and election sure.
The implication of this statement is that if you do not give diligence you can lose some or all of your calling and election.
What then is diligence and how do we give diligence?
Diligence is applying a constant, concentrated and well directed effort.
We are to be diligent in exercising humility, in prayer and in the Word.
In humility we are to daily determine to submit to the will of God even when we do not feel like it, especially when doing so will make you look smaller than what you think or know you are. We need to daily humble ourselves in this way to guarantee the grace and mercy of God upon our efforts to be diligent, otherwise our efforts may be in vain (1 Peter. 5.5, Romans. 9.16).
In prayer, we are to daily pray in the spirit for at least one hour in addition to any other prayers we say in our understanding. Furthermore, this prayer in the spirit should be well directed and not just haphazard.
In particular, we are to pray to be conformed to the image of Jesus causing all things to work together for our good each day, for at least one hour in the spirit: in tongues (Romans. 8. 26-29).
At least once in a month, we can pray specifically for our spouses, children, protection, healing and health, vocation, finances and spiritual service in the house of God (each for 1hour in the spirit).
We can then pray, again in the spirit for at least one hour, for other specific prayer points God may bring to our hearts.
In addition to all of this we should pray in the spirit as often as we can in the middle of our daily natural activities.
This is how to be diligent in prayer.
In the Word we should read our Bible’s daily in conscious fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
Again to be diligent we don’t just read the Bible haphazardly: rather we read with well directed effort.
We should read from all parts Bible daily to have balanced spiritual nourishment. In other words, we should read from the Proverbs, Psalms, Old Testament, New Testament and the Gospels. See our online Bible reading guide for details.
We should speak or confess the Word daily in faith for victory in all areas of our lives: the fruit of the spirit, revelation, and the gifts of the Spirit, healing, prosperity and protection.
Finally and most importantly, with all these other spiritual exercises as a foundation: humbling yourself, prayer in the spirit, bible reading and meditation, we must also practice doing the Word.
Giving diligence in all these things we cause our calling and election to be sure.
