Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.
There is a sense that all is done and finalized when we first give our lives to Lord Jesus. He has completed the work and we, by His sacrifice and God’s grace, have received salvation. In that sense it is finished. Christ completed His work. We are the beneficiaries as we remain faithful.
As life moves along, the natural tendency toward laziness in our faith and complacency in our hope stalks us. Every day, every week, every Bible class, every assembly can easily become characterized in our minds as just the same old thing. We grow bored in our daily privilege and are tempted to major in the minors while subtly explaining away the majors. Our Christian scholars are induced to educate themselves into apostasy regarding the ‘boring fundamentals’ and their top down influence pervades the church. It is not a slippery slope as much as it is a flat, gradual decline down to dry denial leaving many faithless and hopeless. It has happened throughout history.
We must be diligent in pursuing this final hope that Lord Jesus has instilled in us. Spiritual laziness is dangerous and must be avoided at all costs. Nagging doubts must be addressed and used for growth. Truth must prevail in all things especially our faith. Laziness must be addressed with diligence and discipline. The cares of this world must not be allowed to own our minds for we are taking every thought captive to Christ. It is only through perseverance by the power of the Holy Spirit that this can be achieved. We press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Diligence, discipline, perseverance – three critical pillars of our faith.
Ventanas 