14TH MARCH, 2023
PASTOR OLUBI JOHNSON
GIVING ALL DILIGENCE
Proverbs 11:27 (KJV)
He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
Diligence is applying consistent, concentrated and well-directed effort.
Here the scripture instructs that whoever diligently seeks good will receive God’s favour: mercy and grace to be effectively diligent.
Observe the order: the diligent seeking is what attracts the favour. In other words, we first make the decision to be and start practising diligence, then the grace and mercy to be actually diligent are released that in turn makes us truly diligent!
So, it is not our diligence that procures God’s favour; it is our seeking: the decision and practice to be diligent, that procures the favour, and it is the favour that actually makes us diligent and not our efforts alone.
Practically, this means that when you initially make the decision to and start practising diligence, you will initially fail because of the sin-nature in the soul, body and circumstances. However, as you continue, grace and mercy will be given to you to actually make you diligent (Rom. 4:16).
So, it is by grace through faith that all the seed; every Christian, irrespective of their weaknesses, will be able to be diligent and so inherit all the promises of God.
Abraham’s servant was led and the lepers were healed as they acted on God’s Word in faith, before the grace and mercy of God were released to manifest the leading and the healing (Gen. 24:27; Lk. 17:12-14).
The principle is this: believe first by decision and practice; then obtain favour: mercy and grace are released to cause the physical manifestation of what you believe.
So, we apply this principle of diligently seeking good to:
1. Putting on the whole armour of God daily.
2. Using the Blood, the Word and the Spirit (praying in tongues) to pray once every six hours, at every opportunity and in every temptation to gradually perfect the love of God.
3. Having at least one hour every week to pray with all kinds of prayer (Eph. 6:18) and travail (Gal. 4:19) for Christ to be formed in you.
As we practice this, we will procure favour to give all diligence and cause the Christ to be formed (Gal. 4:19) and glorified (Jn. 17:22-23) in us, so causing our calling and election to be sure!
2 Peter 1:5-10 (KJV)
And beside this, giving all diligence… Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For more on today’s study visit:
https://tinyurl.com/5b5ehwjs
Follow Pastor Olubi Johnson on Twitter, Facebook, IG, and YouTube: spcconlineoj
Web: www.spcconline.org
Get the new SPCC Mobile app on Android, IOS, Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku – https://get.theapp.co/nx25
Listen to our podcasts on any of your favourite podcast app: search for Olubi Johnson