A Christian's Growth Chart

When we took our babies to the doctor, we were always interested to learn where they fell along the American Pediatric growth chart. If the baby was in the top-95% in weight, for instance, we didn't need to worry that he was getting enough to eat. If he was in the top 90% in height, I could be hopeful that he would one day surpass his below-average dad. We mostly studied those growth charts out of curiosity, but doctor visits can raise concerns, too: is a child developing in all the ways that she should? I've given up on my height at my age, but my own check-ups these days might show that I am healthy in some areas and unhealthy in others--I need to make some adjustments.

Think of 1:5-7 as a full spiritual work-up from Doctor Peter: these are the qualities of a healthy, growing believer. All of them--not just some!--should be ours and increasing if we want stability in our Christian lives (1:8-10). Let's consider the first three today.

Virtue means moral excellence, a lifestyle that is honorable and praiseworthy. Famous Greek philosophers like Plato and Aristotle wrote much about the virtuous life and how to pursue it, as Peter's first readers would have known. But the apostle tells us that the real path to virtue comes by walking with Jesus Christ, not by mere self-discipline or by reading philosophy. Jesus alone can change my heart and give me the power to pursue God's own glory and excellence. Through him, I can now lead a noble, exemplary life. This includes things like telling the truth instead of lying; keeping my word even when it is inconvenient; choosing purity over immorality; showing patience and courtesy instead of making rude demands; doing the right thing when no one is around; putting the needs of others before my own, etc. This virtuous lifestyle is a far cry from what the false teachers in this church are promoting and modeling (2:1-22). Could those who watch you say that you are growing in virtue?

We don't have to know much to get started in the Christian life: just that we are sinners and that Jesus will save us. But on the other side of that first burst of saving faith, God invites us on the wonderful adventure of knowing him. You were, in fact, made to know God! Think of God coming face-to-face with Adam, breathing his own breath of life into his creation; think of Adam, opening his eyes for the first time and seeing his Maker; think of them walking together in the garden after that, Adam deepening his personal knowledge of God (Gen 1-3). You, too, were made to know God, and your life will neither make sense nor bring satisfaction until you do. God has revealed himself in his word: get to know him there! Let him tell you about his character, his ways, and his will. Don't settle for surface-level acquaintance. Growing in the knowledge of God keeps us stable (3:17-18). Are you?

It is possible to be a Christian who knows his Bible very well, but can't control his speech, his anger or other emotions, his spending, or his appetites. He lives under the control of his own desires and instincts. Of course, this leads to a highly unstable life. That's why Peter underlines the need for self-control in healthy Christian growth. A large part of Christian maturity is learning, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to simply say "no" to myself: placing my body, mouth, and mind under the control of the Lord.

Is that true for you? Are you growing in self-control?

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Article by Eric Smith
Senior Pastor, Sharon Baptist Church