by Ancil Jenkins

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble" (2 Pet. 1:10).

Have you ever pondered the importance of one ingredient? Have you ever had bread without salt? Have you ever had a car but not have the key? I remember in my youth several of us boys who had our gloves and bats but could not find a ball to play with.

How often there seems to be a missing ingredient in our lives and in the life of the church. Often every other vital element is present, but diligence is missing. This is because it often comes disguised as hard, perhaps unrewarding, work.

I was recently impressed with this need for diligent effort from a quotation from Everett Donaldson's biography of "Racoon" John Smith, a pioneer preacher of the nineteenth century. Donaldson quotes from an earlier biography which described Smith's efforts to study the Bible and prepare himself to preach.

"He spent every moment that he could spare in the close and earnest study of his Bible." The pine-knots blazed on his hearth till a late hour every night; for he poured over the sacred text with a diligence that never tired. He saved the hour of noon by reading while his tired yoke browsed in the shade or stood at the rick. He laid the Bible by his side on the dinner table, and committed to memory, over his plate, some verse on which he could ponder while at work. He studied even in the fields, improving sermons as he piled up his log heaps and exhorting imaginary congregations as he plowed" (Racoon John Smith: Frontiersman and Reformer, by Everett Donaldson, p. 86).

Often we hear the desire expressed, "I wish I knew more about the Bible." In almost the same breath come the next words, "But I just don't have the time to study." Yet the apparent problem is probably not a lack of time, but a lack of diligence. Few of us have several hours of unbroken, uninterrupted time to study. However, we often have ten minutes or so. Carry a pocket New Testament and spend your waiting time reading it. We do not need more time - we need more diligence.

What would happen if we approached the enhancement of our spiritual life with the same diligence with which we approach our work or hobby? Few mind arising early, even at dawn, to fish or play golf. Would you do the same for the Lord? Most are faithful to get to work on time and not miss a day unless ill. Could we not do the same with our appointments for God? If we are commanded to be diligent in His service, how can we dare disobey?

If there is something lacking in your spiritual life, why not examine your diligence? This may be the missing ingredient.

Thanks to The Voice of Truth International, Vol 24, pgs 30-31 for this article.