Topical Bible: Diligence: Required by God in Making Our Call, Sure

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Topical Encyclopedia

Diligence is a fundamental virtue in the Christian life, emphasized throughout Scripture as essential for spiritual growth and assurance of one's calling and election. The concept of diligence involves careful and persistent effort, a steadfast commitment to pursuing God's will and purposes.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Peter underscores the necessity of diligence in the believer's life in his second epistle. In 2 Peter 1:10 , he exhorts, "Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things, you will never stumble." Here, Peter links diligence with the assurance of salvation, suggesting that a proactive and earnest pursuit of godliness confirms one's status as a member of God's elect.

Diligence in Spiritual Growth

Diligence is not merely about avoiding sin but actively cultivating virtues that reflect the character of Christ. In 2 Peter 1:5-7 , believers are instructed to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This progression of virtues requires intentional and sustained effort, highlighting the role of diligence in spiritual maturity.

The Role of Diligence in Assurance

The diligent pursuit of these virtues provides believers with a tangible assurance of their faith. As Peter notes in 2 Peter 1:8 , "For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Diligence, therefore, serves as both a means of spiritual growth and a confirmation of one's relationship with Christ.

Diligence in the Broader Biblical Context

Throughout Scripture, diligence is portrayed as a hallmark of the faithful. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse emphasizes the importance of vigilance in maintaining one's spiritual health. Similarly, Hebrews 6:11-12 encourages believers to "show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

Practical Implications

Diligence in the Christian life involves a commitment to regular prayer, study of Scripture, and active participation in the life of the church. It requires believers to be vigilant against complacency and to strive continually for holiness. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 12:11 , exhorts, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This call to maintain spiritual fervor underscores the necessity of diligence in every aspect of the Christian walk.

Conclusion

Diligence is a vital component of the Christian faith, integral to making one's calling and election sure. Through diligent effort, believers grow in their knowledge of Christ, develop godly character, and gain assurance of their salvation. The Scriptures consistently affirm that such diligence is not optional but required by God for those who seek to live faithfully and fruitfully in His service.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 1:10
Why the rather, brothers, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... for a Man to do all that is required of him ... my hearty Desire and Prayer to the eternal
God, that every ... it should rather excite us to greater Diligence about it ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

The Close
... the more it ought to awake our diligence: if we ... writ of the Philosopher's Stone have
required many personal ... in its former excursions, to restore to God what it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allestree/the government of the tongue/the close.htm

God Hath Made Manifest
... for we [71] are on the point of entering into a city (if God permit) of ... For through
his gate we shall now enter in, and much diligence is required on our ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily i god hath made.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... measure of grace which he has received, he uses all diligence, either to ... (2.) Provide
for those of thine own household: This also God hath required of thee ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 23 upon our lords.htm

The Author to the Reader.
... of this subject and matter, might have required a far ... lovers of pleasure more than
lovers of God, having the ... it is so, he exhorteth to give diligence to make ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/the author to the reader.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... We ought therefore to use all diligence in our ... This night shall thy soul be required
of thee ... their lives they are not only robbing God continually, embezzling ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 28 upon our lords.htm

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... For the thing required of us is not (as they ... we have no such custom, neither the
churches of God.". ... Moreover, we must use the utmost diligence to prevent any ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

Preface.
... and drawing men from the faith of Christ; equal diligence is required of those ... papers
(mostly the author's) on the being and perfections of God, the nature ...
/.../the evidences of the christian religion with additional discourses/preface.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... of offenses which were more heinous, and required to be ... As to their diligence in
searching up and down for ... any kind of infliction with which God visits either ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
... first, what is the honor towards parents required by this ... to be thus [with such care
and diligence] commended, but ... sport, and know that it is God who speaks ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt honor thy father.htm