Christians are not saved to sit. We are not to put our spiritual lives on "autopilot" and expect any favorable results. The Bible contains repeated admonitions for us to be diligent in our efforts to grow spiritually and to serve the Lord.

We often learn best with the reinforcement of a good example. If we need an example of diligence, we need look no further than our Lord.

Jesus showed diligence in His youth. The Lord's family traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover when He was twelve years old. The family began to travel back home, but Jesus stayed behind. When He was found in the Temple, Jesus told Joseph and Mary, "I must be about My Father's business" (Luke 2:49).

Jesus showed diligence in His ministry. He was motivated with a defined purpose. "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth" (Mark 1:38).

Jesus accomplished the greatest work the world will ever know in three short years. He was able to do this because He showed devotion in His work ethic. "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work" (John 4:34). "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).

Not only was Jesus motivated by a devotion to His Father's will, He was also motivated by His love for the souls of men. Jesus spoke of the diligence of a shepherd who would leave the ninety-nine sheep in safety "and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying" (Matt. 18:11-14). He also spoke of the diligence of a woman who "if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it" (Luke 15:8). Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gives His life for His sheep (John 10:11). He is the One who has "come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).

We can see the diligence Jesus put into His effort to save our souls. If we benefit from His efforts, it is only fitting that we strive to match His efforts by showing the same diligence. We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). We are to labor for the food that endures to everlasting life (John 6:27). We are to cleanse ourselves and perfect holiness (2 Cor. 7:1). We are to exercise ourselves toward godliness (1 Tim. 4:7-8). We are to show diligence in inheriting God's promises (Heb. 6:11-12).

Diligence is an admirable and necessary trait in many walks of life. The student must be diligent in his studies, the athlete must be diligent in his training, and the businessman must be diligent in his enterprises. So also, the Christian must be diligent in his growth and service to the Lord. Let us give all diligence in adding the necessary characteristics to our faith, and let us be even more diligent to make our call and election sure (2 Peter 1:5, 10).