Cultivating Spiritual Growth: Striving for Maturity in Christ (Mbewe)

Description

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!

Endorsements

“Conrad Mbewe is right—many Christians today are satisfied that their salvation is secure but fail to recognize their responsibility to fervently cultivate spiritual growth in their lives. Through an engaging exposition of 2 Peter 1, Conrad helpfully argues that God has given Christians everything they need to grow spiritually, but Scripture mandates that they faithfully cultivate spiritual growth in their lives through the means of grace that He has provided. This is what God saved us for, and such an active pursuit of growth will have significant implications for a Christian’s present life and for the life to come. This book is a much-needed wake-up call for many Christians today who have become spiritually stagnant and complacent in their spiritual lives.”

—Scott Aniol, executive vice president and editor in chief, G3 Ministries

“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        

About the Author

Conrad Mbewe has been a pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia, since 1987. He earned a PhD in missions from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and is the founding chancellor of the African Christian University in Zambia. His service to Christ’s kingdom extends globally through his itinerant preaching and his passion for writing.