Topical Bible: Diligence: Leads to Assured Hope

◄ Diligence: Leads to Assured Hope ►

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Diligence, as a biblical concept, is a steadfast and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken. It is a virtue that is highly esteemed in Scripture, often associated with hard work, perseverance, and a commitment to fulfilling one's duties and responsibilities. The Bible presents diligence as a pathway to assured hope, a confident expectation of future blessings and fulfillment of God's promises.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of diligence in the life of a believer. Proverbs 12:24 states, "The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." This verse highlights the contrast between the diligent and the lazy, suggesting that diligence leads to leadership and success, while laziness results in subjugation and hardship.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to be diligent in their spiritual lives. In Romans 12:11 , he writes, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." Here, diligence is linked to maintaining spiritual fervor and actively serving God, indicating that it is essential for a vibrant and effective Christian life.

Diligence and Assured Hope

The relationship between diligence and hope is particularly evident in Hebrews 6:11-12 : "We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that your hope may be fully assured. Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." This passage underscores that diligence is crucial for the assurance of hope. It suggests that a consistent and earnest pursuit of God's will leads to a confident expectation of His promises being fulfilled.

Diligence is also connected to the development of character and perseverance, which in turn strengthens hope. Romans 5:3-4 states, "Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." This progression illustrates how diligence in enduring trials and cultivating character results in a robust and assured hope.

Practical Implications

In practical terms, diligence involves a commitment to daily spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and service. It requires believers to be proactive in their faith, seeking to grow in knowledge and understanding of God's Word. Diligence also extends to one's vocation and responsibilities, as Colossians 3:23 instructs, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men."

The diligent believer is characterized by a sense of purpose and direction, driven by the hope of eternal life and the fulfillment of God's promises. This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident assurance rooted in the faithfulness of God. As believers diligently pursue their calling, they experience the joy and peace that come from knowing their labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Examples of Diligence in Scripture

Scripture provides numerous examples of individuals who exemplified diligence, leading to assured hope. One such example is the Apostle Paul, who tirelessly labored for the Gospel, enduring hardships and persecution. His diligence was fueled by the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life (Philippians 3:13-14).

Another example is the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31, who is praised for her industriousness and dedication to her household. Her diligence results in the well-being of her family and earns her respect and honor (Proverbs 31:27-31).

Conclusion

Diligence is a vital component of the Christian life, leading to an assured hope in the promises of God. Through diligent effort in spiritual and practical matters, believers cultivate a confident expectation of future blessings, grounded in the faithfulness of their Creator.

Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 6:11
And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope to the end:
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Hebrews vi. 7, 8
... (For he cannot but sin who is not fully assured concerning his ... every one of you do
show the same diligence to the ... But again he leads on to that future time for ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily x hebrews vi 7.htm

The Impossibility of Failure.
... that he speaks of "earnestness" generally, not merely of active diligence. ... a hope
that makes not ashamed, but leads men on to an assured confidence that the ...
/.../chapter vi the impossibility of.htm

The Object of Theology
... For this cause I entertain an assured hope of the perpetual ... of which much time, leisure
and diligence may be ... who is likewise "himself the way" which leads in a ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration i the object of.htm

The Bliss of the Glorified
... be told us, then, may God grant us diligence to make ... they are saved, and they thirst
to be assured that they ... he is going down the long lane which leads home he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the bliss of the glorified.htm

The Theme of Acts
... of the first of my texts naturally leads to the ... when in the prison at Jerusalem,
He assured the Apostle ... What a lesson of lowliness and of diligence it gives us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the theme of acts.htm

A Caution against Various Temptations, by which the Young Convert ...
... unless an unexpected incident arises, which leads you to ... might tend that way, especially
by diligence in business ... For be assured, that, as affairs and interests ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xxi a caution against.htm

Eighth Sunday after Trinity Living in the Spirit as God's Children ...
... by this very grace to do, with all diligence and to ... the reverse of that which the
Spirit of God leads them to ... to so overcome that thy heart is assured of God's ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/eighth sunday after trinity living.htm

The Joy of the Lord, the Strength of his People
... Well, then, if your joy in God leads you to practical obedience, you may rest assured
it has ... My beloved officers, with great diligence, have visited these ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the joy of the lord.htm

V. ...
... we may go on and follow wherever He leads us; so ... all which you perceive how, with
great diligence, the Apostles ... the devil and hell, and is assured of eternal ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter i v .htm

Letter xx. Self-Examination.
... that every one of you, do show the same diligence to the ... and by which the child of
God is assured of his ... sin; and that only is godly sorrow which leads to the ...
/.../letter xx self-examination.htm