"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

The Apostle Paul says, "...that I may know Him..." and we too desire to know Him in a greater measure. Not only should we desire, but Scripture tells us in Hebrews 6:1, "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection (maturity)."

And Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:48,
"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

We are to grow spiritually:
Into Christ,
"But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ." Ephesians 4:15

In love,
"And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all men, just we also do for you." 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Through The Word,
"Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation." 1 Peter 2:1-2

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

How do we reach spiritual maturity?
Scripture tell us:
By putting away childish things,
"When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child, when I became a man, I did away with childish things."
1 Corinthians 13:11

By cultivating understanding,
"Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature." 1 Corinthians 14:20

By striving to be conformed to the image of Christ, "Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:13

By partaking of the deeper truths of the Gospel, "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
Hebrews 5:14

Of the characteristics of spiritual progress Scripture tells us:
"Yet the righteous will hold to the way
And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger. Job 17:9

"They go from strength to strength..." Psalm 84:7

"The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, Shining ever brighter till the full light of day." Proverbs 4:18

So I close with Paul's charge to Timothy and us, "Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all." 1 Timothy 4:15

My prayer is that we all make it a priority not only read the Bible daily, but to study it. For we know, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

All praise, honor and glory to our loving Father, Christ Jesus and Holy Spirit.
Amen