"Growing Spiritually"

Do you really want to grow spiritually? I pray you do. Where does one start and how do you go about it? In order to grow spiritually, you must realize that the door is open for you to grow which means the only thing holding us back is us!

Look carefully at II Peter 1: 1-11. In verse 3 we find God's divine power has already granted to us everything that pertains to life and godliness. It is like being given a blank check that is signed by a millionaire telling you to fill in the amount needed. God has already granted everything we need to grow and be faithful. True spiritual growth is always based on His promises (v.4). God always keeps His word. Spiritual growth is gaining the nature of God and sharing in His nature!

If God has already granted us everything for life and godliness (and He has), what are we going to do with His promises? Let's look at verse 5: "Applying all diligence..." that's our part! If we have faith, we will be more diligent in our lives but it doesn't end there. "...in your faith supply moral excellence." Some versions use "virtue" or "goodness". We are talking about in your faith you must deal with your sins and become morally excellent. Many times we are faced with difficult situations of right and wrong. Moral excellence means you don't justify doing what is wrong. We have to do what is right because God is morally excellent! He always does the right thing and we have to apply that same diligence in our faith. One can't sweep sin under the rug and draw closer to God. It is impossible! This is the first step in spiritual growth.

"And in your moral excellence, knowledge..." Whenever we supply moral excellence to our faith, you begin to gain knowledge of who God is, what He is like. Your understanding begins to increase. The reason some have little knowledge is because they never deal with moral excellence. Each of the things listed in verses 5-7 are progressions working off of each other. Knowledge is only gained after moral excellence.

"And in your knowledge, self control..." Doing what is right, you gain knowledge of God and self control starts taking hold in your being. There are no "behavior modification" programs involved like the world offers. This is from God. Your life starts coming under control only when you gain knowledge of what God is like.

"And in your self control, perseverance..." Perseverance is the ability to endure difficult people and circumstances. One can't persevere until they have some self control and you can't gain self control until you have some knowledge of God. Knowledge of God can't be gained until we deal rightly with things in our lives.

"And in your perseverance, godliness..." Being more like God in your behavior and attitudes. A love for doing His will.

"And in your godliness, brotherly kindness..." Have you ever wondered why some have no love or little for the brethren? Here's your answer. One can't have some brotherly kindness until they have some godliness and it goes right back up the ladder.

"And in your brotherly kindness, love." This love is a sacrificial love, looking out for the best of others. It has nothing to do with how you feel and everything about seeing the need to help. Isn't that what the cross teaches us? Didn't Jesus put our needs above His own? That's love!

The opportunity to grow is before us. The only question left is do we really want to grow spiritually? Do we really have faith? Take a look at the list and find out where you are spiritually. It might surprise you!