The Path of Progressive Growth

In our previous devotional, we explored the believer’s call to respond to God’s abundant grace with maximum effort and disciplined commitment. We discovered that diligence in godly living flows from gratitude for all God has given us. Now Peter shows us exactly what that diligence looks like in practice: adding virtue with diligence by lavishly supplying our faith with specific godly attributes.

This isn’t a random list of nice qualities to consider adopting when convenient. Peter presents a carefully ordered progression where each virtue builds upon the previous one, creating a comprehensive framework for Christian maturity. Notice that we start with faith—the foundation of our relationship with God—and then intentionally, diligently add qualities that transform us into the image of Christ. Let’s examine each attribute to understand what we’re called to cultivate and how these virtues work together to produce a fruitful, effective Christian life.

Virtue: Excellence in Moral Action

Virtue is a true quality of life that makes someone stand out as excellent. This isn’t mere outward respectability or social propriety—it’s a life characterized by active morality and actions of excellence that flow from genuine godly character (Philippians 4:8). When we add virtue to our faith, we’re committing to live in a way that honors God through moral courage and ethical integrity. Biblical virtue is excellence put into practice—doing what is right, noble, and praiseworthy even when it costs us something. This becomes the foundation upon which all other Christian qualities are built, because without a commitment to moral excellence, the other virtues lack substance and authenticity.

Knowledge: Understanding God’s Truth

Adding virtue with diligence requires knowledge—not just information, but correct understanding, insight, and application of God’s truths. This kind of knowledge doesn’t come passively; it requires diligent study of Scripture and active pursuit of God’s truth. We must know what God’s Word actually says before we can live it out effectively (2 Timothy 2:15). Knowledge guides our virtue, ensuring that our moral actions align with God’s revealed will rather than human wisdom or cultural trends. Without knowledge, our virtue becomes subjective and unstable. With knowledge, our virtue is anchored in eternal truth and can weather any storm of doubt or opposition.

Self-Control: Mastering Bodily Desires

A virtuous life guided by knowledge must be accompanied by self-control—the ability to restrain and discipline the bodily desires of the flesh (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). Self-control is the bridge between knowing what’s right and consistently doing what’s right. It’s the daily discipline of saying “no” to sinful impulses and “yes” to godly choices, even when our flesh screams for gratification. This virtue recognizes that knowledge without discipline produces hypocrisy—we become people who know better but don’t do better. Self-control empowers us to live according to the truth we’ve learned, bringing our actions into alignment with our beliefs and making our virtue authentic rather than merely theoretical.

Perseverance: Endurance Through Trials

Self-control naturally leads to perseverance—the patience and endurance to not give in when trials come (James 1:12). This isn’t mere stubbornness or grit; it’s steadfast endurance fueled by worship and hope in God. When we’ve been practicing self-control in small daily battles, we build the spiritual muscle needed for long-term endurance in major trials. Perseverance means we don’t quit when the Christian life gets hard, when prayers seem unanswered, or when faithfulness costs us dearly (Romans 5:3-4). We continue adding virtue with diligence even in the darkest valleys, trusting that God is at work through every circumstance. This quality transforms temporary obedience into lifelong faithfulness.

Godliness: Reverent Obedience to God’s Word

As we cultivate perseverance through trials, we develop godliness—living obediently to God’s Word in every area of life. Godliness is reverence for God expressed through practical obedience. It’s the quality that makes our entire life an act of worship, recognizing that we exist for God’s glory and purposes. Remember from our earlier devotional on 2 Peter 1:2-4 that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Now we see godliness not as an abstract concept but as a concrete reality: a life consistently aligned with God’s character and commands. Godliness is the culmination of virtue, knowledge, self-control, and perseverance all working together to create someone who habitually thinks, speaks, and acts in ways that please God.

Brotherly Kindness: Sacrificial Affection

From godliness flows brotherly kindness—affection for fellow believers that goes beyond casual friendship to sacrificial concern (Romans 12:10). This is the kind of love that makes you willing to sacrifice your own needs and comforts for someone else in the family of God. Brotherly kindness recognizes that we’re bound together in Christ and therefore our wellbeing is interconnected. It moves us beyond self-focused spirituality to genuine care for other believers. When we’ve cultivated godliness, we naturally begin to see other Christians not as competitors or inconveniences but as beloved family members for whom Christ died. This virtue prevents Christianity from becoming merely a private, individualistic pursuit and instead creates authentic community and mutual care.

Love: The True Beginning of the Spirit’s Fruit

Finally, Peter brings us to love—the true beginning of the fruits of the Spirit and the ultimate expression of adding virtue with diligence (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Without love, all our other actions are simply going through the motions. Love is what transforms religious duty into joyful devotion. It’s deep affection and commitment—love for our Savior who redeemed us, love for our faith-family who journeys with us, and love for the lost around us who desperately need the gospel. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s the motivation and power behind every other virtue. When we truly love God, we want to grow in virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly kindness. Love makes diligence a delight rather than a burden, because we’re pursuing these virtues not from obligation but from hearts overflowing with gratitude and affection for the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19).

The Beautiful Progression

Notice how beautifully these virtues build upon one another. Faith receives God’s grace. Virtue puts that faith into moral action. Knowledge guides that virtue with truth. Self-control empowers us to live out that knowledge. Perseverance sustains our self-control through trials. Godliness makes perseverance an act of worship. Brotherly kindness extends our godliness to others. And love—glorious, transforming love—animates and perfects everything else. This is adding virtue with diligence: intentionally, progressively, lavishly cultivating these Christ-like qualities until our lives radiate His character to a watching world.

Reflection Questions

1. As you review these seven virtues, which one stands out as most underdeveloped in your life right now? What practical step could you take this week to begin cultivating it?
2. How does understanding the progressive nature of these virtues (each building on the previous) change your approach to spiritual growth?
3. Peter emphasizes adding these qualities “with diligence.” In which area are you most tempted to be passive or lazy rather than actively pursuing growth?
4. Consider the final virtue—love. How would your practice of the other six virtues change if they were genuinely motivated by deep love for God and others?

Prayer

Consider how these virtues build upon one another to create mature Christian character. Ask God to show you where to focus your diligent efforts in adding these qualities to your faith.