How to live life as a Christian; Not Lagging in Diligence

Just because you’re a Christian, it doesn’t mean you automatically have all the answers on how to live life. But we try our best by reading, praying, studying God’s word, and relying on the Holy Spirit. Even when we are doing all of that, we sometimes struggle to know what the right thing to do is. When we read Romans 12:11 we are reminded to not be lazy in our faith. It can be tempting to take a break from the faith, but we can not be lagging in diligence, as we live life as a Christian.

*Every Monday I will post another important aspect from scripture, on how God wants us to live life like a Christian. I will do this until we have covered the whole chapter.*

SCRIPTURE:

Romans 12:11

¹¹not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

BEHAVIOUR:

Not lagging in diligence

WHAT AND HOW:

• What does it mean to not be lagging in diligence?
• How does being diligent help us live life as a Christian?

What does it mean to not be lagging in diligence? First of all, lagging means to fall behind or not keeping up with something as you once did. Secondly, diligence means to be aware and persistent. When you put those together, not lagging in diligence, you get perseverance! Perseverance in your faith to be exact!  

Being diligent helps us to live life as Christians because it keeps us aware of our faith. Because of this, we are going to continue living life as God intended for us. We can be diligent in our faith by trying to live out Romans 12. When we start lagging in diligence we need to admit it to God, and then continue where we left off. Because God is forgiving and merciful, He understands that this will happen, and He will help us get back on track. Diligence is key to keeping our faith strong.

COMING UP: Fervent in Spirit

References:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We hope you search our Free Bible Studies from Christian Fellowshipping for more encouraging ways to fellowship with God and other believes.

ROMANS 12

verses 1-2

​I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

verses 3-8

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

verses 9-18

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

verses 19-21

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.