Key scripture – “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:4-7).

Christians can sometimes be confused about the idea of “work” in a religion that is based on “grace.” We are saved by grace, not by works.

Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (NIV).

Yet there is work—diligent work—to be done by those who are saved. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”(Ephesians 2:10 NIV). The New Testament writers spare no words in saying the Christian life requires hard, diligent work—our very best efforts for the sake of Christ and His kingdom. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV).

The New Testament word “be diligent” (spoudazo) means to make haste, to make every effort, to be eager, to do your very best, and that is the attitude and approach we are to have in our service for Christ. We are NOT saved by being good and doing our best, but we express our gratitude for our salvation by being diligent in our service.

James spells it out for us, that faith with no action is dead: “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2:14-26 NIV).

We need to pay attention to the charge that the Apostle Paul gave to all of us in 2 Timothy, “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5,7-8 NIV).

How is your service for Christ? How would those around you describe your work for Him? Diligent, giving your very best, eager, making haste—or not? Make today a day of diligence for the Lord, giving your best to Him who gave His all for you, and fight the good fight.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, you gave Jesus, the most previous sacrifice to save us, forgive me for not doing more for You, Your Kingdom, and the people that You have put in my life. Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I want to put feet to my faith, make disciples and serve You diligently until the day You call me home or Jesus comes back. I will devote myself to good works which are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 3:8). Help me to finish my life strong and fight the good fight so that one day when my life is over, when I am bowing before My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, He will say to me with a smile on His face and gladness in His voice, “Well done my good and faithful servant”. In the Precious Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.