Only Diligence Works!

There are two approaches to life.

A. Diligence. Constant and earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken; persistent application and endeavor; industry, assiduity.

B. Slothful. Full of sloth; indisposed to exertion; inactive, indolent, lazy, sluggish. A lazy person, a sluggard.

C. One way pleases the Lord and works – diligent effort (Proverbs 14:23; 21:25; Eccl 9:10).

1. There are winners and losers in life, and personal diligence or slothfulness has a big role.

2. Life just happens to most, and they are carried along by it, but others make life happen.

3. Men in the workplace are able to witness the general slothfulness of most workers today.

D. Do not blame God or doubt His promises for not blessing slothfulness by you or anyone else.

This is not a lesson in economic or financial success.

A. Diligence in business brings success (Pr 10:4; 12:24,27; 13:4; 14:23; 21:5; 22:29; 27:23-27).

B. Slothfulness in business will destroy you (Pr 6:6-11; 10:4; 12:24,27; 13:4; 14:23; 19:15,24; 20:4,13; 21:5; 24:30-34; Eccl 10:18).

C. Diligence or slothfulness also determines spiritual success in life (John 6:27; Heb 6:11-12).

1. Compare and contrast the enormous difference between the lives of Abraham and Lot!

2. Our brother Paul outworked anyone before or since him (I Cor 15:10; II Timothy 4:7).

3. It took violent pressing – diligence – to enter Christ’s kingdom (Luke 16:16; Matt 11:12).

D. Only a few will cut it and be diligent, for most Christians are so only in name and a form.

This is a lesson in spiritual prosperity.

A. Only diligent faith obtains promises and rewards (Hebrews 11:6; Jer 29:13; Matt 13:44-46).

B. Only diligent keeping of God’s precepts works (Exodus 15:26; Deut 11:13-14,22-23; 28:1).

C. Fathers must diligently teach children God’s commandments (Deut 4:9; 6:6-9; Joshua 22:5).

D. Diligent inquisition and search was to be used in finding sinners (Deut 13:14; 17:4; 19:18).

E. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is a successful life (Prov 4:23; Mat 15:17-20).

F. We should earnestly, or diligently, contend for the faith once delivered to saints (Jude 1:3).

G. We should be diligent in self-examination of the condition of our souls (Ps 77:6; Rev 2:5).

H. Reconciling offences with your brethren is to be done quickly with diligence (Luke 12:58).

I. Only those diligent in adding to their faith shows signs of being God’s elect (II Peter 1:5,10).

J. It is only diligence for holiness that will spare us the fate of Esau’s profanity (Heb 12:14-17).

K. Widows that are worthy of the support of the church are diligent in good works (I Tim 5:10).

L. Finding sweet nourishment and fatness with God requires diligence seeking of God (Is 55:2).

M. With the soon coming of Jesus Christ, we should be very diligent for holiness (II Pet 3:14).

Do not faint.

A. Your flesh, the world, and the devil will do all they can to make you spiritually slothful.

B. There are consequences to where you sow, and you will surely reap the results (Gal 6:7-10).

C. Men are slothful without direct compensation, but labor for God is not in vain (I Cor 15:58).

D. If you feel about to faint, consider the faithful diligence of Christ (II Thess 3:13; Heb 12:3).

E. The yoke of Jesus is easy, and His burden is light, if you come unto Him (Matt 11:28-30).