• The importance of isolation for preserving health and healthy views of life
• The concept of a "pandemic of sin" being just as deadly as COVID-19
• The idea that faith can be the antidote to spiritual illness
• Discussion of 2 Peter 1, verses 5-11, and the importance of adding virtues such as goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to one's faith
• The relationship between possessing these virtues and being effective in one's knowledge of Jesus Christ
• The importance of confirming one's calling and election
• A personal anecdote about receiving a new barbecue as a gift, with the speaker wishing that God would assemble us spiritually in the same way
• The need for more than just faith to achieve a godly life, but rather building on it and adding to it
• The importance of making an effort to add to one's faith in Jesus Christ
• The relationship between truly believing in Jesus and wanting to be like him.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of faith and its incentive to work out one's faith in Jesus
• The idea is compared to fishing, where staying engaged and imagining the catch keeps the line in the water
• Dallas Willard is quoted as saying that spiritual formation in Christians has been stifled by believing they can be slack in obeying or following Jesus
• Jesus' words are cited, stating that if one loves him, they will keep his commandments
• Gandhi's quote is mentioned, suggesting that if Christians lived according to their belief, all would become Christians
• The importance of obedience and intent in following Jesus
• Peter's instruction to add to one's faith and build on knowledge of Christ
• Faith being a conscious and persistent choice to cooperate with the spirit of Christ
• Characteristics of believers including patience, joy, love, and other fruits of Christ
• The role of intention and effort in following Christ
• Good intentions are necessary but not sufficient without actual intent and effort
• The importance of having a strong will and making decisions to achieve goals
• The difference between intention and action in achieving success
• The role of God's will in the formation of human spirit and character
• The need for humans to set their will on doing God's will, as exemplified by Jesus' passion.
• The will of God vs human pressure and temptation
• Jesus' example in resisting the will of others and persevering in faith
• Peter's understanding that spiritual growth is a slow, arduous process
• Recognizing setbacks and failures as opportunities for reflection and self-examination
• Emphasizing the importance of humility and seeking God's guidance
• The speaker reflects on their faith in Jesus and the importance of living a life that aligns with God's plan.
• They discuss the concept of "adding to" one's faith, drawing from biblical language and cultural context.
• Christ is described as the main singer or central figure, with those following Him adding to their faith through various attributes and qualities.
• The speaker cites Peter's list of virtues and qualities that can be added to one's faith, such as goodness, moral fortitude, power, and energy.
• The importance of diligence and self-discipline in becoming a virtuous person
• Adding faith to one's knowledge and gaining practical insights
• Understanding Christ and being his disciple
• Recognizing that much of our work is done internally, including self-control and managing one's feelings and soul
• Practicing self-leadership and perseverance
• Perseverance in the face of obstacles is crucial for achieving godliness and living a life that reflects Christ's teachings.
• The ultimate goal is to be like Christ and to have God "retrofit" us back into his image through the Holy Spirit.
• Showing mutual affection, warmth, and friendliness to others is essential for building a healthy church community.
• Loving one's neighbor as oneself is the greatest virtue and a fundamental aspect of living a life that reflects Christian values.
• Developing virtues and attributes is part of living in Christ
• Love keeps motivation pure
• Possessing these qualities helps prevent being ineffective and unproductive
• Change happens slowly, requiring patience and self-graciousness
• Addictions can be overcome with time and spiritual growth
• Working hard and daily turning to Christ leads to maturing and seeing results
• Ineffective and unproductive faith
• Choosing not to work at faith and settling for the status quo
• The importance of spiritual growth and maturity in Christ
• Losing sight of the future that Christ offers and forgetting past sins covered by His blood
• Failure to pursue spiritual growth as a sign of lost vision and forgotten identity in Christ
• AA's sixth step involves surrendering to God
• The process of becoming spiritually perfect is a gradual one
• The difference between striving for self-determined goals vs. spiritual perfection
• Negative consequences of not working towards spiritual goals
• Three positive reasons for being intentional about adding to faith, based on verses 10 and 11
• The relationship between God's initiative and human response in faith
• The importance of balance in the Christian life, not a 50-50 split but rather 100% from both God and humanity
• The role of Christ as the proactive initiator of redemption and humans as reactive responders to His work
• The development of confidence and spiritual growth through consistent practice and application of one's faith
• The assurance of eternal life and a warm welcome in God's kingdom, regardless of earthly circumstances
• Pursuing Christ leads to a deeper sense of hope in the soul
• The importance of prayer and God's word in life
• Being welcomed home someday as saints, cleansed from sin
• Living like saints by pursuing purity and holiness
• Receiving God's grace to name sin, add to faith, and become more like Christ