2 Peter 1:5-8
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and …to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Peter stresses growth and spiritual maturity in the believer’s life!! It’s a fact that new life requires growth to follow, or death is sure. If a newborn baby fails to grow, it fails to thrive and develop and such failure immediately sends out the warning signals and the message that there is cause for concern and we need to get to the bottom of it. New life in Christ is no different. Spiritual life requires a visible, ongoing process and progress of growth and such growth will be evident in the way we live our lives and in the way we behave. If a believer fails to show signs of change, it is cause for concern and as Christ’s disciples we need to come alongside to love, support, nurture and pray for their spiritual well being!
What about personally? Are we happy with our own spiritual progress? If we ourselves are lacking in the qualities of excellence in behavior, self-control, perseverance, or love for others it should send out warning signals as to our spiritual state. Perhaps our spiritual growth has slowed, or come to a standstill because of distractions and sin in our lives, cutting off sweet fellowship with our Lord. Let’s be challenged today to make every effort to grow in Christ through the power of His word and the power of prayer.
Let His grace embrace you, saturate you and fill you to overflowing so that you will be an effective testimony to the saving knowledge and grace of God.
Hope and Healing In Hard Places 