Jump Start # 3816
Hebrews 6:12 “so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
What a great word we find in our verse today, “sluggish.” Sluggish Christians—it’s not something that we talk about very often. We know sluggish. Sometimes, especially about mid-afternoon, some of us are feeling “sluggish.” Naptime if you can get away with it. Sometimes our cars run a bit “sluggish.” Tune-up time or run some better gas through it, can be the fix. Our computers or the internet can run slow and even “sluggish” some days.
Here’s how a few others state this word:
CEB/CSB: lazy
KJV: slothful
Phillips: slack
In Romans 12, we find a similar concept. There it reads, “Not lagging behind in diligence…” (12:11). Interestingly, in both occasions, Hebrews and Romans, sluggish and lagging behind are found near the word diligence. Diligence is the idea of getting at it. There is no putting things off when diligence is nearby. No kicking the can down the road for another day. No procrastination here. No getting around to it. With diligence, it’s doing things now, right now.
Diligence and sluggish can’t co-exist in the same heart. One will drive the other out, but they both can’t remain. The same is true for diligence and lagging behind. Terrible roommates. They can’t stand each other. It will either be diligence or it will be lagging behind.
And, lets just be honest, some of us Christians have a good case of the lazy bones. We know what ought to be done, but we just don’t feel like putting in the effort today. And, yes, there are lazy preachers. There are lazy shepherds. What needs attention, doesn’t get the attention, at least not now. And, by putting things off, sometimes a little problem becomes a big problem. Had we been diligent earlier, it would not have been such a mess as it is today. Spring cleaning can be that way. Cleaning out the garage can be that way. And, getting about our spiritual duties can be just the same. There are people we need to see. There are conversations that we need to have. There are people we need to forgive. There are sins we need to repent of. So true of so many. Yet, when sluggish is in the air, those things won’t get done today. And, there’s a very good probability that they won’t get done tomorrow either.
There’s one common answer to being sluggish. Be diligent. And, when something is lagging, the solution is to be diligent. Moms and dads need a good dose of diligence. Laziness in the household leads to a messy house, finances that are out of order, and the to-do list that is longer than your arm. Given the choice, most would be sluggish and lagging behind. It takes vision, effort and work to have a diligent heart. When it comes to God’s kingdom, leaders need to be diligent. Otherwise, people will fall through the cracks, worship will become sloppy and indifferent and the level of excellence that our Lord deserves will be missing. People will hurt spiritually when leaders are slow, lazy and sluggish.
So, how do you become diligent?
First, get serious about the things of the Lord. This is the Lord’s kingdom, not our church. He gave the best so we ought to give our best. Attitude and how you look at things will change the atmosphere. A spirit of excellence ought to fill the air.
Second, get your order in order. Make lists if necessary. Seek ye first the kingdom, is more than a cute quote, it’s the way the Master wants it from us. God first. Make time to pray. Get into a regular pattern of reading the Bible. Get to the church house early enough that you are not in a panic mode because you are late. Diligence. Stop putting things off.
Third, get organized. Become efficient. So much time is wasted doing nothing. We spin our wheels because we are not thinking very far ahead. Make the best use of your time.
Fourth, learn from diligent people. Don’t look to the sluggish for suggestions. Don’t look back to those who are lagging behind. Notice who is doing so much spiritually. Find out how he does that. Learn from him.
In the parable of the talents, the Lord called the one talent man, “wicked and lazy slave.” He didn’t do anything really wrong. He didn’t waste the talent. He didn’t sell the talent. He didn’t lose the talent. However, he just didn’t do anything. And, as we read parables like that, it ought to compel us to ask ourselves, “What have I done for the Lord?” Sure, I haven’t quit. I haven’t introduced error. I haven’t hurt the church. But, have I done anything positive?
It sure is easy to hide behind excuses when our hearts are sluggish and lagging behind. Maybe it’s time to come out from those excuses and start being more diligent. Maybe it’s time for me to put the kingdom first in my life. How about you?
Is your spirit a bit sluggish? Get a spiritual tune-up and get going.
Roger