Do not lack diligence...
Nothing like starting off with a very direct exhortation, is there? Since it is so direct, let's make sure we get the full meaning so we don't miss anything!
You know how this section reads in the King James Version? "Not slothful in business..." Now that throws a different light on it, doesn't it? Slothful in business=lacking diligence?
The Greek words used are "okneros" (sluggish, slothful, backward) and
"spoude" (earnestness in accomplishing, promoting or striving after anything; to give all diligence)
So I think we get the message - we are not to be lazy, but we are to be diligent in accomplishing the business we are given to do. This is one of those times that I think it bears looking at the context preceding this passage to ensure we are clear as to what we are not to lack diligence about.
Romans 12:9-11
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
The section title above these verses is "Christian Ethics"...basically a description as to how Christians are to live. The sentence immediately preceding our verse says a lot, doesn't it. "Outdo one another in showing honor"...THEN...."Do not lack diligence..."
Seems to me that we are to never let up on honoring each other...never let up on loving in honesty and sincerity...never let up on hating evil, loving good...never let up.
It is easy sometimes to get caught up in our own selfish motivations, but we must be diligent in combating those deterrents to the business we are called to...loving others more than ourselves...loving God above all else.
What if, in 2012, those of us who call ourselves Christians were absolutely diligent about our desire to show honor to others more than seeking to honor ourselves?
What if, in 2012, those of us who call ourselves Christians were absolutely diligent about our desire to express true, honest and sincere love to others?
What if, in 2012, those of us who call ourselves Christians were absolutely diligent about our business...the business of seeking God's will in each and every aspect of our lives?
I'm thinking that is what we are to be the absolutely most diligent about...seeking God's will and doing it. As I start a new year, I am going to remind my self..."Do not lack diligence!" Never let up! I saw a quote today that bears repeating, don't know the author so I can't credit, but I can repeat: "God's will for my life is for me to seek to do God's will."
Nothing like starting off with a very direct exhortation, is there? Since it is so direct, let's make sure we get the full meaning so we don't miss anything!
You know how this section reads in the King James Version? "Not slothful in business..." Now that throws a different light on it, doesn't it? Slothful in business=lacking diligence?
The Greek words used are "okneros" (sluggish, slothful, backward) and
"spoude" (earnestness in accomplishing, promoting or striving after anything; to give all diligence)
So I think we get the message - we are not to be lazy, but we are to be diligent in accomplishing the business we are given to do. This is one of those times that I think it bears looking at the context preceding this passage to ensure we are clear as to what we are not to lack diligence about.
Romans 12:9-11
Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
The section title above these verses is "Christian Ethics"...basically a description as to how Christians are to live. The sentence immediately preceding our verse says a lot, doesn't it. "Outdo one another in showing honor"...THEN...."Do not lack diligence..."
Seems to me that we are to never let up on honoring each other...never let up on loving in honesty and sincerity...never let up on hating evil, loving good...never let up.
It is easy sometimes to get caught up in our own selfish motivations, but we must be diligent in combating those deterrents to the business we are called to...loving others more than ourselves...loving God above all else.
What if, in 2012, those of us who call ourselves Christians were absolutely diligent about our desire to show honor to others more than seeking to honor ourselves?
What if, in 2012, those of us who call ourselves Christians were absolutely diligent about our desire to express true, honest and sincere love to others?
What if, in 2012, those of us who call ourselves Christians were absolutely diligent about our business...the business of seeking God's will in each and every aspect of our lives?
I'm thinking that is what we are to be the absolutely most diligent about...seeking God's will and doing it. As I start a new year, I am going to remind my self..."Do not lack diligence!" Never let up! I saw a quote today that bears repeating, don't know the author so I can't credit, but I can repeat: "God's will for my life is for me to seek to do God's will."
1 comment:
God is devoted to us, never wavering His love for His children. We need to remain devoted and passionate with our love for Him. We need to live each day with self-discipline and fervent with our daily desire to seek God's Will. He is devoted to us. Each day we need to awaken with excitement to spend time with God, desiring the time we can quietly meditate on His Word. God waits for us to come to Him. Each day seek God's Will and act on His direction.
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