Daniel 3:18

Perhaps the most daunting invitation in Christ’s Sermon on the Mount was given in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Christ had spent the previous verses teaching the beatitudes, step-by-step instruction to become as He is. Christ’s invitation to not only come unto Him but also to become like Him is the basis of Christianity.

While studying Christ’s life and personal characteristics, I have noticed one that seems to be different than the others on the list. The following is a brief (and incomplete) list of Christ’s attributes. Which of these things is not like the others?
• Faith
• Hope
• Charity
• Virtue
• Knowledge
• Patience
• Humility
• Diligence

I believe that diligence has some very unique aspects when compared to the other attributes, specifically the development of diligence. The other characteristics represent spiritual gifts given unto man from God. These gifts are bestowed “precept upon precept, line upon line…here a little, and there a little” (Isa. 28:10).

I would love to wake up on the morning of significant trials and say to myself, “Today is going to be a difficult day. I will have the patience of Job.” Or to begin a week with the decision to exercise the virtue of Joseph of Egypt.

Unfortunately, these attributes need to be developed drop by drop. As with the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13), these qualities cannot be summoned in a moment of need, but they must be diligently prepared in a time of plenty for times of famine. Attributes such as faith are also dependent upon God’s desires and plans. It is possible (probable) that I never reach the hope of Paul.

Diligence however is different. Diligence is not a gift from God. Diligence is a decision, one that each of us makes every day. I may not be able to simply decide to exercise Christ-like faith in a time of need. But who’s to stop me from working through it with Christ-like diligence? This sudden difference has made diligence my favorite Christ-like attribute. I am the owner and author of my diligence. It depends on nobody else, only me.

This same fact also makes diligence a prerequisite to any of the other aforementioned qualities. In order to develop knowledge, one must diligently study. I see diligence in our activities as a sign to God that we desire His blessings and spiritual gifts. Just as wisdom is applied knowledge, I would define diligence as applied faith.

In my mind, there are two types of diligence. The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego highlights these differences. Babylon’s king, Nebuchadnezzar, had created an image of gold, 90 feet in the image of a man. Such a spectacle must have rivaled that of the Hanging Gardens. During the day, a song would be played throughout the kingdom. Upon hearing the song, one was instructed to “fall down and worship the golden image” or “be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Dan. 3:5-6).

When word spread that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego would not worship the image, they were brought before Nebuchadnezzar. One can only imagine the intimidation. They were aware of the law. They were aware of the consequences. They must have known that at one snap of the fingers, the king could have them slaughtered.

The account teaches that Nebuchadnezzar, “in his rage” (Dan. 3:13), asked the three if what he had heard was true. He wanted them to tell him, in their shackles, that they refused to bow before the work of his hands. Before allowing them to answer, he reminded them that “if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?” (Dan. 3:15).

I imagine Nebuchadnezzar’s last question was very threatening, surrounded by armed guards in a huge palace it’s almost as if the king was challenging the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego. Hundreds of years earlier, the Pharaoh asked Moses the same question in a similar situation, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?” (Ex. 5:2).

The young mens' answer highlights the two degrees of diligence, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Dan. 3:17).

I call this sunshine diligence. The three will diligently follow what they know to be right provided that the Lord comes through and makes everything turn out the way they want it to. Sure, I’ll go do it, as long as it’s sunny and warm. It comes down to doing what is right because it is easy. Sunshine diligence is the easiest form of diligence and therefore results in the lowest caliber of the Lord’s blessings.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego had a much deeper form of diligence. They were willing to do what was right no matter the weather, “But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Dan. 3:18).

"But if not..." Even if it were that the Lord would have all three suffer the pains of death by fire, they had already decided to be diligent. I call this true form of diligence rainy day diligence. It’s doing what’s right, even when it’s hard. This is no easy task, but as mentioned earlier, it is our choice.

When the three refused to bow before the image, Nebuchadnezzar kept his promise and the three were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. The Lord however had other plans for Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego and sent his angel to protect them (Dan. 3:24). Even though the Lord decided to spare their lives, the three were willing to act no matter what the consequences were.

There has been no other point in my life where I was able to learn more about and exercise diligence than my missionary service in Mexico. And it would be impossible for me to write about diligence without mentioning my missionary backpack.

About six months into my service, my backpack broke. I needed a bag, but did not want a new one. I remembered seeing pictures as a child of my father’s mission and his backpack. That’s what I wanted, a bag with history. A few letters and a package later and that bag was in Mexico. The bag now has nearly four years of faithful missionary service, and it wears it.
It’s been through the jungles of Guatemala, up and down the mountains of Acapulco and the streets of Mexico City. The bag is old and the color has long since faded; it’s been stitched, taped and even stapled, and it even has a strange smell, but it was there every day, rain or shine. And that’s what diligence is all about.