The First Tool for Our Toolbox….DILIGENCE!

When we left my last post, we had taken a closer look at the idea of making plans for our future work in Heaven; particularly, using the talents, skills and passions of our life on earth, as well as, what we might best be suited to do as we work for Jesus in Heaven. But, before we get to our work in Heaven, we must make sure we have properly prepared our skills while working for Christ on earth…and to do that as we should, we have to exercise the first tool that the apostle Peter tells us to add to our toolbox of things we will need to use to make sure we are prepared for our work in Heaven.

AND THAT FIRST TOOL IS ….DILIGNECE. Peter writes about it in our study chapter of 2 Peter chapter one, verses 4 & 5, which read,   For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature. ⁵ For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to_________________! (We’ll fill in this blank later on in our further discussions).

Here, Peter is reminding us that we have been given all we need to prepare us for successful living for Christ here on earth, but also in Heaven…IF WE REMAIN DILIGENT IN OUR USE OF THE TOOLS WE WILL BE ADDING TO OUR TOOLBOX.

But for now, why is Diligence so important for us in this life? For one, the devil has a way of entering our lives at the worst possible times and causing us to falter in our faith and our walk with and for Christ. For example, you just lost your job; or gotten a bad diagnosis from the doctor; or lost a loved one in a tragic accident or to a terminal disease…and before you realize that your anger with God has pushed Him far away from where He longs to be…and where you need for Him to be…your anger has broken your fellowship and hindered your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

While I was in the Navy, stationed aboard a WW11 destroyer, I stood many a night watch in the midship’s guard hut,  either from  8 until midnight or from midnight until 4 am….standing for those 4 hours, looking across the dock for anything that might be suspicious or preparing to cause harm to me and my shipmates…in precise words….I WAS STANDING WATCH WITH THE OFFICER OF THE DECK AND ONE OTHER OF MY SHIPMATES. Now truth be told, if anyone meant to do me and my 280 plus shipmates harm, the 45 I carried at me side would only last for twelve shots; however, that would have truly sounded as a warning to all those aboard that something of harm was coming our way….and THAT TYPE OF DILIGENCE MIGHT JUST SERVE AS THE KEY TO STOPPING THE EVIL THREAT THAT STOOD BEFORE US,READY TO DO US HARM.

And that’s the kind of diligence that Peter is talking about in this chapter. You see we have everything we need to protect us from our enemy and all that we need to be holy and righteous before our loving Father; however, if we are not diligent in looking after our hearts, minds and most importantly, our souls, THE WAR MAY BE LOST BEFORE THE FIRST BATTLE HAS BEEN WAGED!!!

Unfortunately, we live at a time when the enemy of DILIGENCE is so prevalent in our society, and it is always working to make us less than effective in our walk with Christ…and what is that demon of our demise…DISTRACTIONS. Yes, if we are not careful to stay attentive, alert and using our acumen of diligence, we will be caught unaware of the wiles of that beast, who roams this world, seeking whom he might devour.

Certainly,  we have all been told, in no uncertain terms, to…KEEP THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING…and that is solid advice; but how do we do just that? I recommend the following three “Ds” to keep you on the road to self-awareness and disciplined in your walk with Christ.

First, of course, DILIGENCE….GUARD YOUR HEART AND TAKE CAPTIVE YOUR THOUGHTS!

Second,  DETERMINE, BEFOREHAND, TO STAY THE COURSE AND STAND WATCH, NO MATTER THE DISTRACTIONS.

Third, DECIVISE ACTION IN ALL YOUR DECISIONS; THEREFIORE, YOU ARE NEVER A DOUBLE-MINDED, UNSTABLE, RESTLESS PERSON, TOSSED ABOUT ON STORMY SEAS! (See James 1:8)

Yes, we have everything we need, but be sure to come back later this week to see what other tools belong in your toolbox….TOOLS THAT YOU WILL NEED, BOTH NOW AND IN THE ETERNITY THAT AWAITS ALL WHO BELIEVE…FINALLY AT HOME, WITH GLORIOUS WORK STILL TO BE DONE!!!

Loading up my toolbox…remaining diligent in all things of the Lord,

WPQ