Reading: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 

In these verses Peter is seeking to guide his readers into spiritual excellence. He presents first of all the general progress of mature spirituality. We should not be content with merely getting into the kingdom, we should strive to grow in the kingdom. Always “adding” grace upon grace, looking for progress of spiritual development.

Secondly, that we would cultivate spirituality in different areas of our life; in the mind, in the affections and emotions, in our relationship to others, and in the general disposition and direction of life. What Peter is calling for here is a balanced spirituality, a completeness.  Paul calls for the same “maturity” (Colossians 1:28) and uses a word that connotes completeness in parts. Mature Christian spirituality is like a machine in which all the parts are working together.