Why be diligent?

2 Timothy 2:15-18 (NASB)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have gone astray from the truth,

Here we see we are to be "diligent" to accurately handle the "word of truth." Do we need to hold a man-made degree in Greek to study and share the results of our study? Or do we need to possess "Gnostic knowledge" bestowed in accredited schools? Do we believe in the "priesthood of believers" or in the "priesthood" of Greek speakers or Aramaic speakers or Hebrew speakers?

Do we need a "Phd" in Greek to use a "Lexicon" written in English, or use an "Exhaustive Concordance" written in English or a "Reverse Interlinear" written in English? Or could we simply use our discipleship training on how to study God's word?

When we see claims by those who apparently do not study, that you need a degree to study and share, beware such views are the antithesis of Christ's teachings.

Luke 8:15 (NASB)

“But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with perseverance.

Are we open to the message of God's word, and can we "hold it firmly" without careful study so we are not blown about by every wind of doctrine?

How are we to "make disciples" teaching them "all Christ commanded" if we have not learned what those commands are? Do we thirst for the pure word of God, or are we happy to walk in the furrows of other people?

 

The Greek verb "spoudazō" (G4704) appears several times in the NT, and is most frequently translated as:
1) be or being diligent
2) be eager
3) make every effort

If we diligently seek God's truth we pray and meditate over God's word, making every effort to study and listen to our indwelt Helper, and learn from His word, rather than pour presuppositions into God's word.

 

Study the Word of God, live by it.
(Matt. 4:4)

Be a fisher of men, follow Christ’s example.
(Matt. 4:19)

Focus your desires on doing God’s will.
(Matt. 5:6)

Proclaim Christ, and rejoice and be glad when you are insulted, persecuted or falsely accused of all sorts of evil.
(Matt. 5:12)

Speak truthfully and simply; let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Do not embellish your statements with oaths or swearing to or by God or anything else.
(Matt. 5:33-37)

Be on your guard against false teaching.
(Matt. 16:5-12)

Teach little children and all new believers to be holy and perfect; do not cause them to sin.
(Matt. 18:5-6)

Keep your focus on God in prayer, not on comfort or commerce.
(Matt. 21:12-13)

Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
(Matt. 22:37)

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Christ requires diligence, being eager and making every effort to follow His example.