Apply Diligence to Faith
Dear Friends,
The Lord has put it in my heart to start writing to you on a regular basis to be an encouragement to you, and to speak a word of life and impartation into your life. It is my desire, that through these letters you may grow in respects to your salvation, that you may prosper and be in health as your soul prospers on the Word of God.
1 John 5:4 tells us “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith”.
Faith alive in our hearts will always have victory over the world and the god of this world, the devil. This is why we are to hold on to faith. Faith is what pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith does not bring us the victory,
the scripture says faith is the victory that has overcome. Holding on to faith is, in fact, holding on to the already provided victory. We don’t need to be trying to get the victory, faith has already received it. Just hold on to faith and you will be holding on to victory.
1 Peter 1:5 says, “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith…..” We are to apply all diligence to our faith. Not let go of, or even loosen our grip on faith, but apply all diligence.
The word all is the Greek word pás; This word includes the idea of oneness, a totality or the whole. If we are to apply all diligence, it is to be in oneness. Totally and wholly. In order to apply this kind of diligence it will take a whole heart, spirit, and soul. It will take a heart faith as well as a soulish decision and choice to press on.
Diligence is a word defined in the Greek language as to speed, urge, hasten, press, earnestness, zeal. Being diligent is to act with speed. It is the attitude of the servants who received the ten and the two talents. (Mat 25.16-17) The Word says “immediately” they went out. They went in speed, they hastened. They did not procrastinate. They didn’t put it off. They didn’t wait until they felt like it, or until all of the conditions looked acceptable. They did not do, as the scripture says, consider the wind. They acted in haste and with speed.
To act with diligence also means to press, to act in earnestness, to be determined, to have zeal. The Apostle Paul stated that he pressed on. He applied diligence, was earnest, determined, and had zeal, which is a “never quitting attitude.”
Diligence comes from the root word speúdo; To urge oneself on. It is our part to urge our self on in faith. We must talk to our self, and encourage our self to continue on, and press on for the goal. Talking to our self, and talking with God, will produce a determination and a diligence about faith. Like David, in the face of insurmountable odds encouraged himself in the Lord and took hold of the victory. (1 Sam 30.6 KJV)
It was through faith that we were saved. Faith pleases God. Jesus said, “All things are possible to those that believe.” Faith IS the victory that overcomes. The righteous are to live by faith.
These are five good reasons why we should apply all diligence in our faith. If the Word says to do this, then we need to know that in Him, we can accomplish it all. All it takes is a choice. The Spirit of God will honor the choice, move through our choice, and empower us to walk in our choice to walk in His purpose, a life of faith which is a life of victory.
Until next time, keep on praising the Lord, keep on shouting the victory!!!!
Pastor Bob
