In recent Notes we have considered how Peter and Paul both share about “working out” our salvation, but from two different angles, with Paul stressing the truth more, while Peter shows us practically what that looks like. (See “Peter, Paul, & Working Out Our Own Salvation” • 4). Paul shares this word about “working out” our salvation in Philippians 2:12-13; the related passage in Peter’s writings is 2 Peter 1:4-11.

And it is what Peter says in this regard that I want to focus on now. Personally, until recently I mostly glossed over what the apostle tells us in verses 5-7 about our growth in Christ. But, as I have considered this passage more, I have come to appreciate how it is unique in showing us the stages by which our faith develops in a normal, healthy way.

Peter first writes that God has given us “all things that relate to life and godliness” (v. 3), so that we are now “partakers of the divine nature” (v. 4). He then goes on:

For this very reason also, applying all diligence, supply bountifully in your faith, virtue; and in virtue, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, endurance; and in endurance, godliness; and in godliness, brotherly love; and in brotherly love, divine love.
— 2 Peter 1:5-7

On the one hand, this is surely not an exhaustive list of Christian virtues (cf. Gal. 5:22-23). Nor is it the case that we pass through each of these stages only once, in a definite, clearly-defined way, and then move on to the next; I recall hearing Brother Titus Chu share that “no spiritual experience is once-for-all.” So, the Lord may bring us through these stages several times in our life, each time in a fuller, deeper, more profound way than before.

But, on the other hand, in these verses the apostle does indeed tell us that there are specific stages to our growth in Christ, and so we need to pay close attention to what he says in this regard if we desire to grow as we should.

And what we see in these verses is that the faith we have all been allotted (v. 1) needs to develop according to the virtues of the divine nature we have received in Christ. It is indeed very good to have that initial faith in Christ, but that faith needs to grow and develop within us, and that is what Peter is showing us in these verses. If not, we may even question whether we are saved (v. 9); but if we do grow as we should, then

…in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shall be richly, bountifully supplied to you.
— 2 Peter 1:11

Surely this is to “work out your own salvation in fear and trembling”! (Phil. 2:12-13).

And that is what we will consider in the upcoming Notes in this series.

Sent to our mailing list on
—  30 December 2025 —