DO THE MATH

Your assignment, as it pertains to spiritual growth ... 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness ... 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 1:2-3, 5-7 

So here are the rungs of that ladder  ...

#1: Faith - Biblical faith is not blind optimism or a manufactured 'hope-so' feeling. Neither is it an intellectual assent to church doctrine. It is instead one's response to the Holy Spirit's convicting power ... trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

#2: Virtue - In other words, 'moral character'. We add virtue, not by 'polishing' our innate human attributes, but by submitting to the Lord's work of sanctification. Christ-likeness ... being the goal. 

#3: Knowledge - Understanding the sufficiency of Jesus Christ as our 'All in All'. This allows us to identify and reject false teaching. Divine knowledge can only be accessed through, and maintained by, prayer and the fervent study of God’s Word. 

#4: Self-control - It is mastery over oneself ... but the power to do so comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. Christ never buckled under the temptation to do or say anything that was not according to His Father’s will. We are given 'self-control' so that we can recognize and resist the temptations that come our way. 

#5: Perseverance - To steadfastly bear up under life's heavy load. The picture is that of constancy and endurance. 'Perseverance' has a forward look, the ability to focus on what is beyond any tough circumstance. 

#6: Godliness - Laying down your life in order for Jesus to be glorified. Many people have a 'form' of godliness ... i.e. 'religious', but not crucified with Christ. 'Godliness' is His robe of righteousness placed upon the shoulders of a man emptied of 'self'. It represents the power that comes from a vital union with God.

(The above six virtues pertain to one’s 'inner' life and relationship with God. The following two relate to one's 'outer' life) ...

#7: Brotherly kindness - As Christians, we become brothers and sisters in the community of faith. Brotherly kindness is not just a passive disposition of fondness; it manifests itself in acts of benevolence. In spite of our diverse and varied backgrounds, we bear one another's burdens and forgive shortcomings.

#8: Love - It is the noblest kind of devotion ... a love that is intentional by nature, not motivated by superficial appearance, emotional attraction, or some sentimental relationship.

For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 2 Peter 1:8-9

Understand, pilgrim ... this is not a set of rules to obey under your own power. The singular action on your part is to relinquish control and rest in Christ. Then, and only then, will the Holy Spirit transform you step by step ... from glory to glory.