2Pe 1:10b… for if ye do these things, ye shall

never fall.

As Christians we have been so caught up and got used to falling, but interestingly enough Peter
writes in his letter and in this letter he begins to write things that we can do so that we do not
fall or fail. And we are going to look into those things which he mentioned, and carefully study
how we can become strong Christians who never fall.

The word used in that portion of scripture (FALL) comes from the Greek word ptaio which
means to sin, to fail, to fall, stumble or to trip, so what Peter is trying to say is that if we do
exactly as he said then we shall never fall, we shall never fail, we shall never sin and we will
never stumble. I think it’s worth looking at the things that apostle Peter thought were necessary
in preventing a believer from falling. And if you have been struggling with failure, sin, bad
habits, inconsistency, then these steps from Apostle Peter are worth looking at, if they worked
for him they can work for you. If we follow all this then we will always be able to stand against
anything that comes our way and success will be inevitable. We will begin to leap over
challenges, and we will begin to produce much fruit (2Pe 1:8 For if these things be in you, and
abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ.).

So what are these things that the Apostle Peter was talking about, we find them from 2Peter
chapter 1 starting from verse 5, Peter begins to list secrets to a successful, fruitful and winning
Christian life.

◈ DILIGENCE: 2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence (5 For this very reason, make
every effort to add to your faith)

Diligence is persevering determination to perform a task, its conscientiousness in paying

proper attention to a task, giving the degree of care required in a given situation. It is c
ontinuous concentration so as to reap results or to achieve a set goal or target. Pro 22:29
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand
before mean men. Without diligence in your life it becomes very much impossible for you to
become successful in your life, career, relationships, you begin to fail in every area of your life,
so to begin He says giving all diligence… some may wonder why it is such a big deal to be
diligent, let me show you some areas that God also wants you to be diligent and the benefits of
being diligent in those areas.
IN THE WORD: Deu 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken
diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments
which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations
of the earth:

Josh 1:8-9. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will
be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do
(New Living Translation). Reading the word is not a once of occasion, it is something that you
do consistently, every day, every moment I love this translation that says “Josh 1:8 And don't
for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and
night, making sure you practice everything written in it (THE MESSAGE Bible)”, it says don’t for
a minute let the word be out of your mind. The reason why we fail at times is because we can
afford to let the word be out of our minds for a whole day, the bible on the other hand says
make sure, be diligent enough to let the word be in your mind every moment. That is the secret,
the word is not read when a situation arises, it is not read when we are feeling low, but the word
is life so it must be read all the time, diligently, consistently and only then will you begin to see
the results. Deuteronomy 28 vs. 1 goes on to say that if you continue to be diligent in hearing
and doing the word God will set you on high above all nations of the earth.

IN PRAYER: 1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing; 1 Thess 5:17 Be unceasing in prayer
[praying perseveringly] (AMP). Luk 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that
men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Luke 18:1 Jesus told them a story showing that it
was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit (MESSAGE BIBLE). Diligence in
prayer is something that most of us Christians do not do, Jesus told a parable, and in this
parable he was trying to convey a message that people ought to pray consistently without
stopping, in the book of Thessalonians it says that we ought to pray unceasing, the amplified
bible goes on to say pray perseveringly. If we are diligent in the area of prayer then we become
unstoppable, there is room for the devil, no room for sickness, no room for sin and no room for
ungodly practices.

Seeking the Lord: Psa 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night:
I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Heb 11:6 But without
faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that
he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. This is one area that will unlock the realm of
the supernatural. If you want to experience the glory of the Lord learn to be diligent in seeking
for the Lord, in praise and worship. Seek after God with all diligence, the book of Hebrews goes
on to say that God rewards those who diligently seek him. He says draw nigh unto me and ill
draw nigh unto you (Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your
hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded KJV), most people draw nigh and
experience God, but because they are not diligent they simply fall away, diligence is that
element of a Christian that will make them cross over to glory.

The bible says that we should be moving from glory to glory (2Co 3:18 But we all, with open
face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory
to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord) we can never move from one level of glory to another
if we are not diligent.

IN OUR THINKING (MINDSET): Pro 21:5 The thoughts

of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. PRO 21
vs. 5 Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough
GNT. Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things. Pro 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee;
but his heart is not with thee. The reason why most Christians are where they are is because of
their mind-set or thinking patterns, as a man thinketh in his heart so is he, what you think about
is what you are, if you are always thinking failure then surely you are a failure, but if you can
change the way you think by the word of God then you will become a success, a conqueror, a
victor and not a victim. So diligently watch out your thinking, in Philippians it says whatsoever
is true, honest, just pure, lovely, of a good report think on these things, why would Paul write
that, it is because, from your thoughts emanate all stress, all evil, all sin, all malice and it is the
realm of procreation.

IN LEADERSHIP: Pro 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but
the slothful shall be under tribute. Leadership is for the diligent, if you want to be a good leader,
if you want to lead anyone, whether at work or in a church setting, its all about diligence, its all
about killing the spirit of slothfulness. the book of proverbs tells us that the hand of the
diligence shall bear rule. My encouragement is that we should be diligent in everything that we
do, in the works of our hands. Make sure that in all you do whether someone is watching or not,
be diligent, work as unto the Lord, do your work with all diligence. Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all
things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in
singleness of heart, fearing God: Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord,
and not unto men; Col 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. God rewards the diligent.
IN PROSPERITY: Pro 10:4 He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack
hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich. If you want financial prosperity the secret lies in
diligence. If it’s a business, no matter how small it is, if you apply the principle of diligence you
will reap amazing results. Diligence is like saving money, as long you are diligent you will begin
to see the results. The longer you stay diligent the bigger the results just like saving money, the
longer you save the larger the returns.

Hence before we talk about the other ingredients of success, we need to have a basic
understanding of diligence, because the moment you fail to be diligent you will never
accomplish anything. Diligence is the secret to success, success begins right here. Once you
learn to put your focus on something and do it to the end then you are the perfect candidate for
success, for increase and for promotion. Make a decision today that you will begin to live a
diligent lifestyle.

◈ ADD TO YOUR FAITH VIRTUE; Now that we have a firm understanding of what diligence
is, it says here; with all diligence add to your faith virtue. In order to understand what
this means we will look at the definition of FAITH and of virtue so that we can extract
the revelation of the scripture.

What is FAITH? Hebrews 11:1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, o the title deed)
of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their
reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]AMP. In order to
understand the secrets to a successful life we need to make sure that we understand the terms
that Peter is using in this passage. Faith in the book of Hebrews is that assurance that all the
things that you are hoping for are finally yours and are here. Heb 11:1 What is faith? It is the
confident assurance that something we want is going to happen TLB. Once you have this
confidence then you are in FAITH, at times we have Christians who are waiting to see what they
are believing come to pass so that they can be convinced that it is true, but faith is confident
before the eyes can see the manifestation. Hence Peter says to this Faith, to make this faith
effective, add virtue, so then what is the virtue that is being mentioned here. The word
translated virtue in this portion of scripture is different to the one mentioned when the woman
with the issue of blood touched Jesus. Mar 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself
that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my
clothes?. The word virtue here means power but the word used by Peter is arête which means
moral excellence (a quality of doing what is right and avoiding what is wrong) and valour (
heroic courage when facing danger). So we shall divide this into 2 and see what Peter was
trying to say.

MORAL EXCELLENCE: a quality of doing what is right and avoiding

what is wrong. 2 Peter 1:5 In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises.
Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence (New Living Translation).
For faith to work effectively we must be people of high moral excellence, walking in dignity and
in uprightness. This mainly talks of sexual immorality, if you look into the root meaning of the
word virtue, its morality in respect to sexual relations, hence we need to watch out for sexual
immorality, once we begin to diligently add this quality of moral excellence to our faith we begin
to reap the results. You not only stand waiting for God, but you also remove the sins that hinder
faith, and sexual immorality is a major hindrance to faith, it will make you lose your promises,
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of
meat sold his birthright. Do not give away your birth right, and all your promises just to satisfy
the flesh, I believe Peter mentioned this because our Faith is hindered by the small things, so he
speaks of a higher level of moral excellence. So let us add to our faith a higher level of
excellence.

VALOUR: heroic courage when facing danger or an opposition. In another

translation it is called Christian energy. How is this important in relation to faith, it is very
important in that at times in the Christian walk you face situations that oppose what you are
believing, you face an opposition that is trying to steal and take away your promises and drain
your faith. But the bible says add virtue, which means add some bravery in face of challenges,
in face of opposition have the courage to face the opposition. Valour is heroic courage, the kind
that is like David when he faced Goliath. David had Faith, but without the virtue he would have
not faced goliath, virtue or valour is what made him stand before his enemies and fight.

May you add virtue to your faith today, maybe it’s that ingredient that has been missing to get
your faith off the ground.

◈ AND TO VIRTUE KNOWLEDGE; now that we know what virtue is, it says to that virtue
add knowledge, in order to understand what Peter is talking about here we need to look
deeper and see what type of knowledge he is referring to. The word translated for
knowledge there is gnosis which means to be intelligent to exercise a form of wisdom,
some say it is the ability to distinguish right and wrong, some call it scientific
knowledge, 2 Peter 1:5 complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual
understanding, 2 Peter 1:5 But to obtain these gifts, you need more than faith; you must
also work hard to be good, and even that is not enough. For then you must learn to
know God better and discover what he wants you to do TLB.

TO KNOW GOD BETTER AND DISCOVER

WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO DO
We will look at this translation and try and figure out what Peter was saying to the church. In
this translation it suggest that the knowledge being referred to hear is an increase in
knowledge for God, and its about knowing and understanding his will Dan 11:32 And such as
do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know
their God shall be strong, and do exploits. It says in the book of Daniel, that they that know their
God, that have knowledge of God, that know what God wants, shall be strong and they shall do
exploits. Maybe you are looking at your life and wondering why you are not doing exploits,
maybe it is because you do not know your God. Zeal, Christian energy/virtue is useless without
the knowledge of God, or with limited knowledge. Let me show you something, Act 18:25 This
man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught
diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. Act 18:26 And he began to
speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto
them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Act 18:27 And when he was
disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who,
when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: Act 18:28 For he
mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was
Christ. The man was fervent, filled with energy and zeal, he was full of virtue, but his lack of
knowledge made his preaching to be of non-effect. Hence Peter says its ok to have virtue, but
to that virtue add knowledge and once you do this you will begin to reap results and yield much
fruit. So make a decision today that you will increase your knowledge and excel.

How does one increase in knowledge?

This type of knowledge is also called scientific knowledge, i.e. it is attained mainly by reading
and investigation. So if you want to increase in knowledge be a person who reads widely,
especially the word of God. Also listen to sermons about an area you lack information or
knowledge, read books not novel by man and woman of God. Attend seminars, attend church
and prayer meetings. That way you will see yourself attain knowledge and the more knowledge
you have the more you set yourself up for a promotion. Even in a work setting, endeavour to
increase your educational abilities, get more and more educated and sooner or later you will be
offered positions that go along with what you know.

2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance (6 and to knowledge, self-control NIV)

and to temperance patience (and to self-control, perseverance)

and to patience godliness;

2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness;

and to brotherly kindness charity.

2 Peter 1:5-9

5 So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith
with good character, spiritual understanding, 6 alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent
wonder, 7 warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the
others. 8 With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your
feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus.
9 Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life
has been wiped off the books.

(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All
rights reserved.)