Giving All Diligence

Scripture:

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”
—2 Peter 1:5–7 (NKJV)

Reflection:

Our walk with Christ is not meant to remain where it began. Faith is the foundation, but God desires our faith to mature and produce visible fruit.

Peter describes a progression:

Faith → Virtue → Knowledge → Self-Control → Perseverance → Godliness → Brotherly Kindness → Love

We begin by trusting Jesus. As our faith grows, we desire to live according to God’s ways. Through His Word, we gain knowledge—but biblical knowledge is more than memorizing Scripture. What we learn must begin transforming how we live.

Knowledge teaches us self-control. Through Christ, we do not have to surrender to every temptation, emotion, desire, or pressure. Self-control then develops perseverance—the strength to continue trusting and obeying God when life becomes difficult.

Perseverance produces godliness. As our character becomes more like Christ, it changes how we treat others. Godliness produces brotherly kindness, and brotherly kindness grows into genuine, Christlike love.

Imagine someone treats you unfairly today. Your natural response may be anger or retaliation. But spiritual growth changes that response:

Faith reminds you whom you belong to.

Knowledge reminds you what God’s Word says.

Self-control prevents an impulsive reaction.

Perseverance helps you continue doing what is right.

Godliness asks, “How would Christ have me respond?”

Brotherly kindness changes how you treat that person.

Love allows your response to reflect Jesus.

That is spiritual fruit.

God is not asking us to become perfect overnight. He is calling us to remain connected to Christ and keep growing. The danger comes when we become satisfied with simply knowing about Jesus without becoming more like Him.

Encouragement:

Today, do not only ask, “Do I have faith?”

Ask, “What is my faith producing?”

Is your faith producing virtue? Is your knowledge of God producing self-control? Is self-control developing perseverance? Is perseverance making you more like Christ? Is becoming more like Christ causing you to show greater kindness and love?

Remember the cross. Remember His forgiveness. Remember His grace. Remember who you once were and the person Christ is transforming you into.

Give all diligence. Keep growing. Keep abiding in Christ. Keep producing fruit.

The goal is not simply to know more about Jesus.

The goal is to become more like Him.

—
-Rev Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.Org.