Be Vigilant and Be Diligent - Conclusion of 0 Be Diligent as the End Nears

Again, details of this can be understood in  symbolic sense.  For example,  Jesus, pictured by the man traveling abroad, would leave his disciples, go to heaven, and wait a long time until he received the kingly power." (Psalm 110:1-4; Acts 2:34-36; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 1-0:12, 13) Again, though, we can perceive a broader lesson or principle that all of us can apply  in our lives.  What is that?

Whether our hope is that of immortal life in heaven or of everlasting life on a paradise earth, it is clear from Jesus' parable that we should  be exerting ourselves in Christian activities.  In fact, the message of this parable can be summed up in a word: diligence.  The apostles set the pattern from Pentecost 33 C.E. onward.  We read:  "With many other words [Peter] bore thorough witness and kept exhorting them, saying:  'Get saved from this crooked generation." (Acts 2:40-42)  And what excellent returns we had on his efforts! As other joined the apostles in the Christian preaching work, they too were diligent, with the good new "increasing in all the world." - COLOSSIANS 1:3-6, 23:1; CORINTHIANS 3:5-9.

Bear in mind the context of this parable-a prophecy about Jesus' presence.  We have ample confirmation that Jesus' pa-rou-si'a is in progress and will soon reach a climax.  Recall the connection Jesus made between "the end" and the work Christians need to do: "This good news of the kingdom will be preached  in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and the end will come." (Matthew 24:14)  With this in mind, which sort of slave do we resemble?  Ask yourself:  "Would there be reason to conclude that I am like the slave who hid what was entrusted to him, perhaps while he took care of his own personal concerns? Or is it clear that I am like those who were good and faithful?  Am I totally committed to increasing the Master's interests on every occasion?' 

Next time:Be Vigilant and Be Diligent -Be Vigilant and Diligent During His Presence

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