8 Steps to SPIRITUAL MATURITY- 2 PETER 1:5-7
“Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge, self-control, to self control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”
It is important to note the scripture begins with the words “giving all diligence.” Diligence is defined as a careful, earnest, dedicated, committed, and persistent effort. Diligence conveys more than a once-a-week church experience. Simply stated, for each of us, growing into Christian maturity is a daily, and sometimes moment-by-moment exercise of diligence; as He lovingly prepares our hearts and souls for eternity
Note:
How each step builds upon one another, and each step supports
the steps above. For example, consider the 4th step: self-control. It is very difficult for someone to persevere (5th step) in situations when they do not have self-control—especially when the flesh (our sinful nature) is screaming for some type of fulfillment (retribution, fulfillment of an addiction, and so forth).
Similar to a latter, each step provides a means to spiritually elevate to the next step. Meanwhile, as we progress upward, we witness a radical transformation of our thoughts, our emotions, our desires, and our behavior—including how we look at ourselves, and how we view the world around us. What’s more, each step brings us into a closer relationship with our Lord as we become more like Him and less like ourselves.
It is His grace and His love that changes the desires of our heart as He compels us to move upward and towards Him. Each step is a free-will choice that results in transformational changes in our heart, soul, and spirit
Faith: Internal Transformation: Born Again – Mark 9:23
Virtue: Internal Transformation: Integrity, Honesty, Morality – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Knowledge: Internal Transformation: Understanding, Wisdom – Ephesians 2-8-9
Self- Control: Internal Transformation: Discipline, Restraint, Will -1 John 1:8
Perserverance: Internal Transformation: Steadfastness, Character – Romans 5:4
Godliness: Internal Transformation: Righteousness, Goodness – 1 Timothy 3:16
Kindness: Internal Transformation: Benevolence – John 13:34- 35
Love: Internal Transformation: Agape Sacrifice – 1 John 3:16
Prayer :
Our Heavenly Father God’s grace—and your Love—is the powerful agent that cleanses our heart and soul of impurities. This cleansing process is magnified when the desires of willing Christian heart prays…
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24
Cleanse our Heart From all Evil. In JESUS name we Pray AMEN.
Sol.Olivia Capitola