Effort
If a coach says, "Give me your best effort!" you know you'd better give it all you've got! That's what God's Word urges us to do when it comes to seeking after godliness, self-control and love. We are to make every effort to live in peace with all people, to be holy (see holy) and to add to our faith goodness, knowledge and perseverance.

But although there is an aspect of the Christian life that requires our hard work, we must also rest in God's power, knowing that we are helpless without the Holy Spirit's help and guidance. When Scripture speaks of "human effort" or making "every effort," it points out how feeble our attempts at achieving noble goals are without God's supreme power and gracious giving. As humans, we think it's natural to work for everything we receive. But God keeps reminding us that he would rather have us trust him completely than believe that certain "religious" acts will make us more pleasing to him.

An effort is a serious attempt to do something.
Daniel 6:14
1 Thessalonians 2:14-17
2 Peter 1:15
Human efforts at achieving greatness are meaningless. We cannot fully understand God, no matter how much effort we expend.
Ecclesiastes 2:17-20; 6:7; 8:16-17
We are to make every effort to be holy (see Holy) and blameless and live at peace with God and one another.
Luke 13:24
John 5:44
Romans 14:19
Ephesians 4:3
Hebrews 12:14
2 Peter 1:5-8; 3:14
God does not grant us his grace, mercy and love because of our efforts.
Romans 9:16
Galatians 3:3