What Steps Help Me Build a Permanent Christlike Character? (Christian Character Series Part II)

The Apostle Peter began his second letter to all Christians by addressing the very formation of our Christian lives. He proceeded to lay out a deep and profound series of character development steps to show us how to completely and wholly grow into mature disciples of Christ. In Part I of this series, we covered the first four verses of 2 Peter chapter 1. These verses laid out a broad foundation for the development of our Christian character that is based on who God is, what He promises us and what Jesus has done. The next part of the blueprint for our character development is to not only show us traits we need to have included in our Christlikeness, but HOW we are to include them. This episode reveals how Peter unfolds his spirit-driven, exciting and practical approach to building a true Christlike character. Peter’s blueprint continues with a command: “…applying all diligence.” The Greek terms reveal a vivid picture—bringing our effort alongside what God has already supplied, and doing so with eagerness, earnestness and speed. Diligence is the opposite of sluggishness; it reflects a focused loyalty to God’s will. As we receive God’s promises, we are to simultaneously apply this diligence. The first area where diligence must operate is our faith. Faith is not a wish; rather, it is a conviction grounded in God’s reality. It is a gift, and though not earned, it must be tested, strengthened and lived. Trials develop endurance, and endurance matures character. Faith becomes what we call an “Allegiance Attribute”—a foundational internal quality that shapes all the other traits Peter will list. Faith must be active, single‑minded and visible through works. Just as Christ fully supplies the body and Christians supply one another, we are called to fully supply our own character with what it needs to grow. Ultimately, God abundantly supplies entrance into the eternal kingdom, far beyond mere adequacy. Our role is to respond to His overwhelming provision with the diligent and eager faith that fuels the lifelong process of Christlike transformation.  Key Takeaways God’s promises form the foundation for Christian character development. “Applying all diligence” means bringing earnest effort alongside God’s provision. Faith is the first and foundational Allegiance Attribute. Faith must be active, tested, single‑minded and visible through works. Growth is mutual: God supplies us, we supply our character, and we in turn support others. God’s supply is abundant and our response to it must be diligent and wholehearted.