Jul. 19, 2026

                                       “WATCH OUT”

                             “ADDING THESE THINGS”

                                      2 PETER 1:5-7

1. Gods Call to Diligence-  2 Peter 1:5

2 Peter 1:5 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge.”

When Peter told his readers that they should be "giving all diligence, to do their part in the Christian life, he used an expression that calls for an all-out effort. The two Greek words in this Phrase are tremendously significant when used in combination.

The first term indicates strenuous effort, like that of a runner who gives it all he's got as he approaches the finish live. The second comes from the noun choregos, which describes the wealthy patrons who financed elaborate religions plays in the ancient Greek world.

It is God who is at work in the life of the believer - It is God who saved us. It is God who promised us victory over sin. It is God who called for spiritual maturity. It is God who will empower us to develop the virtues of a Christ-honoring life. And it is God who gives us untold blessings as we begin to put them into daily practice. 

Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

2.  The Qualities of a God-Honoring Life- 2 Peter 1:5-7

2 Peter 1:5-7 “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”

Peter says “add" which means in addition to God’s great salvation -right along side of what God has done - add these things: And give all diligence to adding them. “Add” to supply generously.

“Аdd”…

• “Faith” vs5 - The Christin life begins with belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior. 

• Roman 10:17

•  “Virtue " vs.5 - The second mark of a God honoring life is virtue. Virtue when something in life fulfills their purpose.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-7, 11-12 

• "Кnowledge" vs.5,6

“add to virtue knowledge”

knowledge - practical intelligence, practical insight. 

God is a God of truth and He has made Himself known in the Bible. 

Colossians 1:10 “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

John 8:31 “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.”

Rom. 15:14 "Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”

Proverbs 2:3-5 "Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.”

Knowledge that is growing is the ability to handle life successfully.

• “Temperance”- vs. 6 

"add to knowledge temperance." 

temperance- to muster and control the body or the flesh with all of its lusts.

• The believer is to know that self control is of God, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gal. 5:22-23

• The believer is to proclaim self-control to the lost. 

Acts 24:25 “Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 

* The believer is to strenuously exercise self control just as an athlete controls himself.

1 Corinthians 9:25 “25And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”

• The aged believer is especially to be on guard to control himself.

Titus 2:2 “That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience.”

• The believer is to grow in self-control. vs.6

• “Patience” vs.6

“Add to temperance patience”

Patience - endurance, fortitude, stedfastness, constancy perseverance.

Roman 12:12 "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer”

Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

• “Godliness" vs.6 

“add to patience godliness”

godliness - simple means God- likeness, to worship well.

• “Brotherly Kindness” vs.7

“add to godliness brotherly kindness”

Brotherly Kindness- the very special love that exist between brothers and sisters within a loving family, brothers and sisters who truly cherish one another. actually brotherly love.

John 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

l Peter 3:8 "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous”

• “Love” vs.7 

"add to brotherly kindness charity" 

love - "agape" the love of the mind, of the reason, of the will. It is the agape love of God the loves that goes so far….

• that it loves regardless of feelings 
• that it loves a person even if the person does not deserve to be loved.
• that it actually loves the person who is utterly unworthy of being loved.

Romans 5:8 , John 3:16 , Mark 12:29-31 

Therefore give all diligence. Get to work! Strive to develop godly qualities and you will be surprised at the way God honors your sincere dedication and earnest efforts.