Diligence

As my father preached last night on Diligence, a couple of scriptures came to my mind.

The first was: Luke 13:24 Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

I love this scripture because it paints a picture in my mind. A picture of this narrow entry that leads to a narrow way. The other gates are easier. The other paths are more broad and more populated. The broad ways are exciting and fun, but there comes a time that many will seek to enter and will not be able. My my, this is why we should give effort. This is why we should not get drug down by sin. Striving becomes evident when the testing comes. When life is easy there is no strain, there is little effort required. There will come a time when you are forever on the outside though you seek to enter you will not be able. It is not detailed here but I can imagine it, and based on the scripture it may not be when you are 6 feet under. Though I think that is the main concern there are other admonitions that indicate that God will not always work on us. The work of the spirit is required in salvation and if God is not always working in us we are not just limited by our breath but also by the call of God.



The other is: 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

This idea of dwelling. Staying focused on God. Being diligent to be in the house of God, to study, to read, to live it. Dwell there, make it a part of you.

Dwell in God because he loves us; strive to enter at the straight gate because you will not always be able to enter in.

Diligence made me think of striving and of dwelling.