The Character of a Leader - Diligence

 

This is Chuck Rapp with a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.

Recently, I began a series of messages regarding the character of a leader. These are qualities exemplified in the life of a good and godly leader, and we began with integrity.

As I shared last time, the foundation for godly character is our love for God and our obedience to Him. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands.” (John 14:15).

Today I’d like to introduce another characteristic of a good and godly leader. It is diligence which may be defined as “careful or persistent work or effort”.

Those who are diligent take initiative, and they are intentional regarding what they do. They are not haphazard or lackadaisical (lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy).

I would suggest that Christ-following, Christ-honoring leaders are diligent in at least four ways.

Diligent in worship – Jesus was asked “what is the greatest commandment of them all?” While he had many, many OT commands to choose from, at the top of his list was “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30, emphasis added). “All” appears four times in this single verse. We are to worship God with all that we are, every part of our being.

Diligent in our spiritual growth – Just as athletes exercise to develop physical muscles, we, too, must be diligent to develop our spiritual strength. 2 Peter 1:5-8 instructs us, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Twice in this short passage, Peter says that we are to “make every effort”. That’s another way of saying, “be diligent!”

Diligent in relationships – The Apostle Paul understood the necessity of maintaining good relationships, even in difficult circumstances or with difficult people. He instructed the Romans (and us) in 14:19, “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Once again, we’re admonished to “make every effort” or to be diligent as we deal with people, especially those who are difficult.

Diligent in service – The Apostle Paul gave instructions in Colossians 3:23 (in the Amplified Bible) “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men.” Christian leaders put forth their best effort into the task while also realizing the power (and willingness!) of the Holy Spirit to add what they cannot provide.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.