Grow In God’s Likeness

2 Peter 1:5–11 (NASB95) 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

Because God has destined us to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, we must strive to grow in God’s likeness. Our text gives us five truths about growing in Christ.

I. Growing Requires Diligence (5a)

II. Growing Necessitates Progression (5b-7)

III. Growing Results In Usefulness and Fruitfulness (8)

IV. Growing Keeps Eternity In View (9)

V. Growing Ensures Our Salvation (10-11)

Call To Action

1. Establish and maintain daily spiritual disciplines

2. Participate in the church Bible reading plan

3. Faithfully attend and participate in corporate worship

4. Be discipled and make disciples in D-groups