2 Peter 1:5. Diligence is a key attribute for being a Christian. Christian diligence starts with faith and it is ultimately manifested in love. God has provided us His Word and it is only through Christian diligence that we can fulfill His purpose in our lives. Before Christian diligence can be effective we must have faith. Faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the cornerstone of being a Christian. From faith it is then through our Christian diligence that we can spiritually mature. With diligence we can then take on Christian virtues and turn away from sin. From diligently exemplifying the virtues of Jesus in our daily lives, we then gain wisdom in how to please Him. This wisdom in turn enables us to have self-control and not make provisions for the flesh any more. From diligently maintaining self-control in our lives, we learn patience. We learn to wait on God for our needs and wants. From patience we take on Godliness. People begin to see Christ in us because we are acting and looking more like Christ every day. From godliness we are now able to diligently display brotherly love to all people no matter what their relationship is to us. And from diligently acting in brotherly love, we are able to truly love everyone just as Christ did when He walked on this Earth. Love “agape” love, is the ultimate goal on this Earth that God desires for us to diligently seek (2 Peter 1:5-7, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity”).

2 PETER 1 BIBLE SCRIPTURE 2 Peter 1:5, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;”

Proverbs 4:23. Christians must continually have diligence over their heart. Out of our human heart springs either good or evil. With Christian diligence based on faith, we can overcome the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”). Faith enables us to surrender our trust completely to God. Our Christian diligence to do good (versus evil) is the ultimate exercise in our faith to show our love and trust of God.

PROVERBS 4 BIBLE SCRIPTURE Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

2 Peter 1:10. Faith is easy thing to say we have, but faith is not fulfilled until we exercise it. This is done only through Christian diligence. It is faith and our day-to-day diligence that assures our calling and election (II Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”). God desires for us to diligently live Christian lives who chooses goodness, love, and truth over evil and disobedience. It is acting on our faith that pleases God, not just talking about it.

2 PETER 1 BIBLE SCRIPTURE 2 Peter 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”