DILIGENCE
“That you are not (consciously) falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace (the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit), while you wait and watch (constantly living in hope) for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all” (1 Corinthians 1:7 AMP).
Now that we have taken on our new identity as Christ-followers, by His love, we are compelled to no longer live for ourselves but for Him Who saved us (Romans 6:11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Our life’s main aim now is to make a constant and consistent effort to accomplish “the goal” of our calling in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14 ). There is a prize to gain (1 Cor 9:24 -25), so we must regularly occupy ourselves with the teachings of the Scriptures, the fellowship of the brethren and prayer, to the end that we are habitually involved with Our Lord.
He gave us His Word in written form to profit us, instruct, reprove, convict us of sin, to correct our errant thinking, to discipline us in obedience and train us in “holy living, in conformity to His will in thought, purpose and action” so that we may be “proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
He gave us of His Spirit, Whom we engage through prayer, who will strengthen us and give us courage in trials and difficulties. He will teach us all things pertaining to godliness (John 14:26 ); guide us into all truth and tell us of what is to come (John 16:13 ), preparing us for our future.
Our Lord God has given us the gift of koinonia (intimate fellowship with Himself and with other Christ-followers) so that we can build each other up in the faith (Ephesians 4: 12 -13); encourage one another; watch out for one another; serve one another in love (See Hebrews 12 & 13).
© S.M. Hudson, Hidden Treasure Ministries, December 2003. All rights reserved.
Categories: forgiveness
