According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue – 2nd Peter 1:3.

God has empowered every believer to live a godly lifestyle. He has given us instructions on how to live that lifestyle. Then, it’s left to us whether or not we apply the instructions.

God has and never will tell us to do something He has not empowered us. The problem with most Christians is that they aren’t aware of what He has given them as Christians. When one truly accepts salvation in the heart and not by their emotions or guilt, God gives them everything they need to live a successful Christian life.

Christians are to grow spiritually. This comes through faith, diligence, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. If these things abide in us, we’re growing (For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ – 2nd Peter 1:8).

Faith – marks the beginning of the Christian life. Through genuine faith, God grants eternal life to a spiritually dead person (And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins – Ephesians 2:1). We were breathing, walking, talking but dead spiritually, and an enemy of God prior to our acception of salvation.

Diligence – alertness, earnestness, quickness, perseverance, vigor, intent, intensity, assiduousness. These things we must have to survivor in our Christian walk. We can’ be slothful in prayer, reading and studying God’s Word, and fasting. Attending Sunday School, Worship Service, and Bible Study. Preaching gets you out of the world, but teaching keeps the world from being in you!

Virtue – Is having Christ’s character. God’s divine power has given us the spiritual ability to live godly. The divine nature is the nature that characterizes God. The nature is expressed in holiness, virtue, righteousness, love, and grace. Being regenerated with the divine nature, believers can exhibit the same characteristics.

Knowledge – Is practical wisdom is obtained by dedicating ourselves to learning God’s truth’s in the Scriptures and putting that truth into actions.

Temperance – Self-control, mastering one’s emotions rather than being controlled by them. People who exercise self-control will not easily succumb to discouragement or the temptation to quit. Viewing all circumstances as coming from the hand of a loving Father who controls all things is the secret of perseverance.

Patience – Endurance is to continue, persist, remain, sustain, survive, outlast, carry on, linger, allow, permit, tolerate, and bear with. If these things are in us, we shall remain and continue to grow in our faith. We can’t give up on God when tribulation comes our way. This is when we have to increase our prayers, increase our fasting, increase our reading and studying of the Word of God. Building up ourselves in our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

Godliness – Is God-like, Fruit of the Spirit in manifestation; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

Brotherly Kindness – Is love towards other believers as well as non-believers.

Charity – Is volitional love, this process is a life long cycle of spiritual growth for all believers. If these things are within us, are we walking and living as true Christians?

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – If these are in you

Love – Is the willing sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another without thought of return.

Joy – Is gladness of heart, can’t nothing disturb it.

Peace – Tranquility of mind, freeing one from worry and fear.

Longsuffering – Is patience with others, the opposite of a short temper. A disposition quietly bearing injury.

Gentleness – Kindness

Goodness – Generosity

Faith – Dependability: God can depend on you no matter what you may be going through.

Meekness – Gentlness that is courtesy and consideration in one’s relation with others

Temperance – Self-control, the ability to harness and control passions and lusts.

If these attributes are abiding within us, we are living as sons and daughters of God. If not, then we are fooling ourselves, and we’re not living as Christians (But he that lacketh these things is blind. and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

We must abide by the Word of God if we want to please God to enter heaven; if not, in hell shall we lift up our eyes!