SPIRITUAL GROWTH

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Peter 1:5-7
King James Version

In his first epistle, the Apostle Peter gave instruction on how to overcome opposition from without. Now, he equips the saints on how to deal with opposition from within.
Peter begins by reminding the believers of their ‘like precious faith.’ He goes on to establish that God has provided, by His divine power, all things that are needed to live the ZOE kind of life and holiness. He then begins to present the strategy for growth in the Christian faith.
He encourages the believers to add to their faith seven other Christian graces: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity. By adding these, the believer will be established in their relationship with the Lord and kept from stumbling. This maturity in the things of righteousness will grant them access to the kingdom of God.
However, Peter also informs them that not heeding instruction will render them spiritually blind, short-sighted and behaving like unbelievers.
Spiritual growth of the believer first is pleasing to God and enables the believer to enjoy the kingdom of God now, which is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Additionally, obedience and growth will assure the believer’s heart that he will receive a crown of life at Christ’s return.
Another aspect of growing in righteousness is the protection it provides from the ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing.’ The false teachers were spreading the ‘doctrine of devils’. The Apostle Peter wrote the saints of Asia Minor to warn them of the false teachers who had infiltrated the church and spreading erroneous doctrine. The safeguard against being led astray was to grow and mature in the faith they had received. The saints had to become intimate with the genuine faith so they would not be deceived and ensnared by the counterfeit.
Spiritual growth and development has many rewards, both present and future. Determine today that you will allow nothing and no one to impede your progress in growing in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Develop an intimate, personal relationship with Christ. False teachers are in the world? Have you grown to a point where you can discern the spirit of truth from error? Arm yourself with the truth of God’s word so you will be able to recognize and walk in the way that leads to life everlasting.
The enemy of your soul comes to divide and subtract. But, when you add to your faith, the Captain of your Salvation will begin to multiply and increase you exponentially!