The Spiritual Life of a Mature Christian
“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 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.”
2 Peter 1:1-7 NIV
Human beings were created in the likeness of God, to live in fellowship of God but because of sin, the fellowship stopped and likewise the likeness
8 characteristics of a mature Christian to recover our origin in likeness of God
•Add to faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge
◦“being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had
promised.” Romans 4:21 NIV
◦“So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will
happen just as he told me.”Acts 27:25 NIV
◦“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what
we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 NIV
◦faith is an ongoing lifestyle
◦being a person who lifts up those in need and those who are around
◦goodness and morality comes from knowledge that God first loved us,
lifted us up, gave unconditionally - we need to know and acknowledge
the word
•And to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to
perseverance, godliness ◦When God gives knowledge, it's so easy to
become self absorbed and self-serving… But instead, we must have self-
control to be humble, to know that it's much is given, much is expected
◦we must persevere by trusting God's will
◦we must maintain in godliness… Know that it's according to God and
His generosity and love
•And to godliness, mutual affection, and to mutual affection, love ◦More we
give our affection, more we are filled with love
◦unlike materialistic things which might be exhausted or expired on its
own, our love is overflowing the more we give in love
To one who is mature in faith, what virtue do we need to add to our faith
•All you need is LOVE ◦True love is demonstrated by action, by giving,
being compassionate, forgiving, lifting up those around them
◦Jesus loved even those who persecuted and hated Him
◦To be able to give and sacrifice the most precious thing
•It is HUMILITY ◦As our faith deepens, we must be humble
◦God lifts us up so we don't need to focus on boasting for ourselves
◦Not acting like you are better than anyone or more righteous than anyone
◦Paul's humility: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your
own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
•It is PATIENCE ◦We must trust God and be patient
◦“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful inrayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV
Take a look at your own condition of faith. How mature are you in preserving your faith in God and living according to His will? Faith without action is dead. Not just by taking about doing anything but showing by action. Be empowered in faith and love to glorify Him by serving Him… Lifting up everyone around you to glorify Him together!
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