By: Scott Adkins, Sling ‘n Stone Ministry
Carter County Times
As President Truman waffled about defeating communism in the Korean War, General Douglas MacArthur declared: “There is no substitute for victory.” Truman fired MacArthur. Today, as communist North Korea threatens with nuclear weapons, we see MacArthur spoke truth. God’s Word, however, speaks a far more sobering and eternal truth:
There is NO substitute for diligence.
Diligence in what? Studying and obeying God’s Word. (II Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved of God …”; II Peter 1:5 “Giving all diligence, add to your faith…”; II Peter 1:10 “Brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.”)
When must we “give all diligence?” Answer: Daily. (Matthew 6:11 “Give us this day our daily bread.”; II Corinthians 4:16 “The inward man is renewed day by day.”; Psalms 1:2 “In His law doth he meditate day and night.”)
Instead of diligently seeking Jesus for Jesus’ sake alone, like Zacchaeus did (Luke 19:3), many in Jesus’ day sought Jesus for loaves ‘n fishes (John 6:26). Others sought Him for miracles. Jesus rebuked the miracle-seekers as an “evil generation” (Luke 11:29). Right before Jesus did, He declared: “Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). That’s no coincidence.
Folks never change. Today, misguided folks do as they did in Jesus’ day; they forego daily diligence in His Word; they forego seeking Jesus’ for Jesus’ sake. Instead, they selfishly seek thrills and spiritual phenomena. They forget that only when we continue daily in His Word do we qualify as His “disciples” (John 8:31-32). Being Christ’s disciple demands diligent hard work, which is why Jesus admonished us to “strive,” using the word “agonizomai,” or “agonize” in the Greek (Luke 13:24).
Remember Peter witnessed Christ’s transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2). Yet through Peter, the Holy Spirit warned us not to prefer spiritual phenomena above God’s Word. So warning, He emphasized: “We also have a more sure word;” then the Holy Spirit pointed to scripture (II Peter 1:18-20), which He gave through divine inspiration (II Timothy 3:16).
Nowhere does holy scripture suggest we desire miracles above a steady diet in (and obedience to) God’s Word. (I Peter 2:2 “Desire the sincere milk of the Word.”) Instead, God’s Word urges we maintain diligence therein (II Peter 1:1-21). Jesus flat-out commanded it (John 8:31-32; 15:7, 14).
Today’s misguided skip diligence and instead chase supernatural or emotional phenomena. They then ascribe their thrills ‘n chills to the Holy Spirit. Whatever thrills or chills them, it ain’t God’s Holy Spirit. He neither speaks of, nor glorifies, Himself (John 16:13-14). He testifies of Jesus (John 15:26); guides us in all truth (John 16:13); judges the church (Acts 5:1-11); and empowers us for the Great Commission (Acts 1:8). God’s Holy Spirit never validates what contradicts His inspired Word. Yet today’s misguided say the Holy Spirit attends their miracle-seeking and overlooks their forsaking diligence. Wrong.
If we abide not in God’s Word, we will wither; garner man’s contempt; and burn, (John 15:6), because there is no substitute for diligence.
