Don't just phone it in

"teach... ask... inquire... obey... keep your heart... 

seek Him... love... be found by Him in peace"

Deuteronomy 6:7, 13:14, 17:4, 28:1

Proverbs 4:23, 8:17

2 Corinthians 8:8

2 Peter 3:14

Know what all these things have in common?  All of these verbs are in Scripture, preceded by the adverb "diligently". 

But why?  What's the difference between doing something, and doing it diligently?   Diligent is a very interesting word, and it has a lot to teach us. 

Diligent means characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic effort.  It means making a painstaking effort.  Hmmm.... Do you do that?  Do I?  Does that describe how we inquire of Him or teach His Word to others?

The etymology of the word reflects the fact that affection can lead to energetic effort.  In other words, you're more likely to be diligent about something if you love it.  The word, which entered English in the 14th century by way of Anglo-French, descends from the Latin verb "diligere," meaning "to value or esteem highly" or "to love."

Of course, you don’t need to care for the task at hand in order to be diligent at it.  Sometimes we obey without really wanting to.  But I think that's why the word "diligently" is added.  You don't have to love what you are doing, as long as you love the One Who is telling you to do it!

~ "Be not lagging in diligence,

fervent in spirit,

serving the Lord" ~

Romans 12:10-12

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