II.         SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS ABOUT CHARACTER (VV.5-7)

It’s not about the physical. Christian growth is about you building your character and being more like Jesus. Notice where it begins and where it ends and what’s in between. The Bible says we are to add to our faith (must start with the foundation) - and it ends with love (v.7). So, it begins with faith and ends in love. This is in totality the character of a mature Christian. 7 attributes.

• “Virtue” = moral excellence; integrity – doing what is right morally. Virtue is an attitude that we must have, and an action that we must take. Internally, we desire to what is right. Outwardly, we demonstrate what is right. Virtue is being holy in an unholy world.
• “Knowledge” = practical wisdom – handling life in a practical way. Also it is the investigation and comprehension of spiritual truth. The source of true spiritual truth is the Word of God. II Timothy 3:16 states that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of god, and is profitable for doctrine (what is right), for reproof (what is wrong), for correction (how to get right), and for instruction in righteousness (how to stay right)”. If we want to grow spiritually, then we must become students who will.... Learn, Love, and Live...God's precious Word.
• “Temperance” = self-control. Adding to our faith, growing spiritually, requires self-discipline. Your faith will not grow in a spiritual environment of disobedience. Growth comes only when we die to self, and submit our will to the will of God. James 1:22 commands us, "But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."  
• “Patience” = endurance; to rise to the occasion. It refers to one steadfastly enduring in faith, not surrendering to circumstances. Notice again the progression that Peter presents us with. He says that we must have a desire to do what is right.  We must have knowledge of what is right.  We need the discipline to do what is right.  And then we need spiritual endurance, so we will keep doing what is right when we are challenged or opposed.
• “Godliness” = living every day with a consciousness of God’s presence. This term refers to responding to God properly with reverence and devotion. It is a desire to have our character transformed to be like the character of God. The Christian life is much more that just obeying commands - It is obeying God! We will not grow much as a believer until we understand that we are not engaged in an effort to keep a set of rules, but we are involved in the relationship of relationships.  We are developing a relationship with the Living God! Godliness is a genuine desire to please God.
• “Brotherly kindness” = Philadelphia : fraternal affection: - brotherly love. It focuses on our relationships within the family of God.
• “Charity” = agape – the supernatural love of God. Growing Christians are growing in their love toward each other and with a lost world. This love is a choice that prefers others unconditionally. Like Jesus, we are to love the sinner while hating the sin.

III.       SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS MEASURABLE (VV.8-9)

You can actually see where you are. Are you making progress? 2 things will inform you as to where you are spiritually.

            A.        Spiritual Fruit (v.8)

How can I know that I’m making some spiritual progress? Because there is fruit in my life (expound fruit above)!

            B.         Spiritual Maturity (v.9)

The spiritually immature are near-sighted and have a limited spiritual vision. They see just their needs, their likes, their wants; their church, and their denomination – their opinion is all that matters. Not being able to see past your likes, dislikes, and opinions is a sign of spiritual immaturity. The casual, lazy believer has forgotten something very important. Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood - took your hell not just to save you from hell so you could sit and do nothing and not grow! He saved you to get you out of hell, and then to get hell out of you so you could grow and He could bless and prosper your life to overflowing! The person that is not growing has forgotten the price of the cross.

Conclusion:       May God brings us all to a place of fresh surrender and commitment. God’s not through with you yet! You are under construction – yield to God, surrender to Jesus as Savior and Lord, and follow Him.  

The total issue of Christian growth.

Too many Christians live on:

• The right side of Easter, but on the wrong side of Pentecost.
• The right side of pardon, but the wrong side of power.
• The right side of forgiveness, but the wrong side of fellowship.
• They are out of Egypt , but have not reached the Land of Promise and blessing. They are still wandering about in the wilderness of frustration and dissatisfaction.

If that is the case; there is no one to blame but yourself. Get up and start growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.