April 2

True Heart-Energy

Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. — 1 Tim 4:15 BSB

This is essentially a promise that by diligently meditating on God's Word and dedicating our entire mind to His work, we will make visible progress. It's not through hasty reading but through deep meditation that we benefit from the Word of God. It’s not by doing a lot of work carelessly, but by giving our best thought to what we do, that we gain real profit. "In all labor there is profit," but not in fuss and hurry without sincere, heartfelt effort.

If we divide our loyalties between God and worldly things, or between Christ and self, we will make no progress. We must wholly dedicate ourselves to holy things, or we will be poor traders in heavenly business, showing no profit when we take stock of our efforts.

Am I a minister? Then let me be wholly a minister, not spending my energies on secondary concerns. What do I have to do with party politics or vain amusements? Am I a Christian? Then let me make serving Jesus my occupation, my life’s work, my one pursuit. We must be entirely devoted to Jesus, both in our hearts and actions, or we will make no progress, no profit, and neither the church nor the world will feel the powerful influence that the Lord intends us to have.