Topical Bible: Diligence: Christ, an Example

◄ Diligence: Christ, an Example ►

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Diligence, as a steadfast and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken, is a virtue exemplified supremely in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Throughout the Gospels, Christ's unwavering commitment to His mission and His Father's will serves as the ultimate model of diligence for believers.

Christ's Mission and Ministry

From the onset of His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated diligence in fulfilling His divine mission. In Luke 2:49, even as a young boy, Jesus expressed His commitment to His Father's work, saying, "Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?" . This early indication of His purpose-driven life set the tone for His subsequent ministry.

Throughout His ministry, Jesus was relentless in teaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Mark 1:35-39 illustrates His dedication, as He rose early in the morning to pray and then traveled throughout Galilee, preaching and casting out demons. His tireless efforts were not deterred by fatigue or opposition, as seen in John 4:34, where He declares, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work" .

Obedience to the Father's Will

Christ's diligence is further exemplified in His obedience to the Father's will, even unto death. In the Garden of Gethsemane, facing the imminent suffering of the cross, Jesus prayed with fervent resolve, "Not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42). His commitment to fulfilling the Father's plan of salvation was unwavering, as He endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

Teaching on Diligence

Jesus not only exemplified diligence but also taught its importance to His disciples. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), He commended the diligent servants who wisely invested their master's resources, contrasting them with the slothful servant who failed to act. This parable underscores the value of diligence in stewarding the gifts and responsibilities entrusted to believers.

Perseverance in Prayer and Service

Christ's diligence extended to His prayer life and service to others. He often withdrew to solitary places to pray, as seen in Luke 5:16, demonstrating the importance of persistent communion with the Father. His service was marked by compassion and tireless effort, as He ministered to the multitudes, healed the sick, and fed the hungry, exemplifying the diligent love and service He calls His followers to emulate.

Endurance in Suffering

The ultimate expression of Christ's diligence is found in His endurance through suffering. Hebrews 5:8-9 highlights that "although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered, and having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" . His perseverance through trials and His sacrificial death on the cross are the pinnacle of His diligent obedience to the Father's redemptive plan.

In summary, Jesus Christ stands as the perfect example of diligence, demonstrating unwavering commitment to His mission, obedience to the Father's will, and perseverance through suffering. His life and teachings call believers to emulate His diligence in their own walk of faith, serving as a constant reminder of the importance of earnest and steadfast effort in the pursuit of God's purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 2:49
And he said to them, How is it that you sought me? knew you not that I must be about my Father's business?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Imitation of Christ
... miseries are to be borne patiently after the example of Christ. ... That he who is about
to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/

Sacred Poems and Hymns
... HYMN CCXXII. The Flight of Time an incentive to Religious Diligence. HYMN CCXXIII. ...
HYMN CCCXXVI. Children recalling Christ's Example and His Love. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/

The Sermon that the Reverend Father in Christ
... is his household which ought with all diligence to be ... efficacy, and not redemption
purchased by Christ (they have a wonderful pretty example to persuade ...
/.../sermons on the card and other discourses/the sermon that the reverend.htm

Christ Stimulating Sluggish Discipleship
... he would have ceased to be the valuable example and lesson ... man's first business is
to witness for Jesus Christ, and no amount of diligence in legitimate ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture a/christ stimulating sluggish discipleship.htm

The Power of Diligence
... difficult task, and pointing the readers to his own example as an ... is in them; even
the life that is in Jesus Christ Himself, in ... 'Diligence' makes faith fruitful ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the power of diligence.htm

For whom did Christ Die?
... slips and flaws, can yet, by future diligence, completely justify ... things it must
be so, that if Christ Jesus dies ... said that Jesus died as our example; but that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/for whom did christ die.htm

Perseverance of the Saints Proved.
... we have seen was settled from eternity; but by diligence and growth ... is strongly implied
in many other passages in the teachings of Christ. For example, he says ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlviii perseverance of the.htm

The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those ...
... of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others ... But, after all, be not discouraged:
Christ is the ... been amiss, and to redouble my future diligence and caution! ...
/.../chapter xvi the christian convert.htm

Careful to Maintain Good Works
... Faith and good works were to be inseparable; the diligence of every believer in
good works ... Paul, grounded on his reliance on Christ, be your example: I can ...
/.../murray/working for god/xxiii careful to maintain good.htm

A Triplet of Graces
... it were"and my text presents an example of that ... service here"all these things are
reasons for our diligence. But the reason is: 'Thou Christ hast died for ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/a triplet of graces.htm