2 Peter 1:5-8
It’s not hard to recognize that all believers are at differing levels of spiritual growth and maturity. Just like a baby is newborn, progresses to shallow levels of function, and then on to adolescence and adulthood, the comparison is true spiritually. So, the following hold true as well:
Maturing Christians should strive to represent and model Jesus so that others will want to be “born again”- Matthew 28:18-20.
We should bear with each other, recognizing the different levels of development every individual has reached, as well as their potential to continue on toward a more mature reality- Romans 15:1-7.
2 Peter 1:5-8 gives us a list of qualities that we can look for and add to as we grow in our faith. In fact, the term “supply” in verse 5 is a command to grow these qualities as we live out our faith. They are marks of progress, as well as warnings, if we’re not realizing any progress in our walk with Jesus.
It is a great joy to be a helper in someone’s spiritual growth. To watch as folks gain knowledge and then put that knowledge to work in serving Christ. It is also a great challenge to keep growing ourselves, and to see the difference it makes in our attitudes toward others, and toward Christ!