Cultivating Spiritual Growth: Striving for Maturity in Christ

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.

—2 Peter 1:3

Too many believers treat salvation like fire insurance—in this case, hellfire insurance. They are happy to have it for entrance to heaven, but they fail to appreciate their own responsibility to grow spiritually in the meantime. Moved by such common negligence, Conrad Mbewe faithfully encourages us to pursue a fruitful and godly life by considering how God equips Christians to grow, the ways God ordains for them to cultivate growth, and the implications of either neglecting or diligently attending to these things. In short, here is a pastoral charge for Christians to keep on growing!

“The apostle Peter lived a remarkable life that took him from the shores of Galilee (where he worked as a fisherman before being called by Christ), to the streets of Jerusalem (where he denied Christ), to the day of Pentecost (where he proclaimed Christ), to Rome (where he was martyred for the gospel of Christ). Both of Peter’s epistles display the heart of a tender pastor who loved Christ and His sheep and longed for their growth in grace (John 21:15). I am overjoyed that Brother Mbewe has put pen to paper to show how Peter taught about the importance of knowledge, virtue, self-control, perseverance, brotherly kindness, and love to gospel-based, Christ-centered spiritual growth. As usual, Dr. Mbewe’s writing is full of clarity, pointed application, beautiful hymns, gospel focus, and engaging illustrations (including many from life in Zambia). May the Lord use this outstanding treatment of 2 Peter 1 to lead those who are dead to life and those who are alive to vital growth in godliness.”

—Joel R. Beeke, chancellor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Contents

Introduction
Part 1: The Indicatives of Spiritual Growth
1. You Have a Faith of Equal Standing
2. You Have All You Need to Grow Up
Part 2: The Imperatives of Spiritual Growth
3. Make Every Effort to Grow Up
4. Strive for Excellence
5. Deepen Your Knowledge
6. Master Your Desires
7. Persevere to the End
8. The Source and Foundation of Godliness
9. The Supreme Fruit of Godliness
10. Attaining Godliness
11. The Foundation of Brotherly Kindness
12. Additional Expressions of Brotherly Kindness
13. Add Love to Brotherly Kindness
14. A Life of Love Is Reasonable
Part 3: The Implications of Spiritual Growth
15. Possessing and Growing in Spiritual Qualities
16. The Ineffective and Unfruitful Christian Life
17. The Blinding Effect of Forgetting God’s Grace
18. Confirm Your Calling and Election
19. An Abundant Entrance into Heaven
20. We Need Reminders about Growing Up

192 pages.