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

Give all diligience, heaven will be worth the effort

Great and precious promises accompany these immortal words. If these qualities abound in us, we will not be barren or unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 1:8). Those who lack these qualities will fall (2 Peter 1:9), while those who practice them will never fall (2 Peter 1:10). Those who desire to be certain of their eternal salvation will pay special heed to these cherished words.

Peter begins with faith — the firm conviction, personal surrender, and resultant conduct that comes by hearing the word of God, Romans 10:17. Each virtue is a fruit on the tree of faith. The more time we spend with the Word, the more our faith will grow. Though the Bible is our map to heaven, just looking at a map will not automatically transport us to our destination. We arrive only if we are willing to pay active attention to the directions of the map. “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

We add virtue to our faith — moral excellence. The word denotes the fulfillment of something. We are created for good works (Ephesians 2:10). In Christ we become a new person (Ephesians 4:24). We learn to love God, other Christians, our family, and the lost as Jesus Himself would. Virtue is also courage. We need courage to live righteously in a world of unbelief and hostility. “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

To our virtue we add knowledge — our safeguard in this world of uncertainty and doubt. Paul said, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:7). We take the knowledge of God seriously because everything we hope for is based on this assurance. Guesswork is not enough. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). When we read, we may understand Paul’s knowledge in the mystery of Christ (Ephesians 3:4).

To our knowledge we add self - control—the restraint of one’s emotions, impulses, or desires. The word describes both athletes and Christians (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Christians are like athletes in their . . .

1. passion. They are obsessed with winning the prize.
2. practice. They study and train in order to win. They do not allow anything to hinder them from reaching their goals.
3. perseverance. They do not give up. Felix lacked self-control (Acts 24:25). The Christian cannot win without it.
4. purity. “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

To our self control we add perseverance — the capacity to hold out or to bear up in the face of difficulties, patience, endurance, fortitude, steadfastness. “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3). The Lord’s example helps us to persevere: “...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

To our perseverance we add godliness — reverence, godly attitude, leading to an awareness of God in every aspect of life; awesome respect accorded to God, devoutness, piety. Godliness is profitable for all things (1 Timothy 4:7-8). Knowing that Jesus will return in judgment can motivate us to live godly lives. “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11).

To our godliness we add brotherly kindness — this refers to affection for our brothers and sisters in Christ. “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Peter 1:22). Jesus taught it and brought it to a new level: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). He also commanded it. “These things I command you, that you love one another” (John 15:17). His love for all people serves as motivation for us. “It is natural to love them that love us, but it is supernatural to love them that hate us.”

To our brotherly kindness we add love — this is the deliberate desire for the highest good of another. We grow in love by stirring up one another (Hebrews 10:24). Again, Jesus set the ultimate example. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). To fail in love is to lose everything. “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2:4-5).

Those who want to go to heaven will pursue these divine, but simple, instructions. Heaven will surely be worth the effort.

– Rick Duggin