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What does authentic spiritual growth actually look like?

Writing to early believers, Peter outlined several qualities of a life that looks more and more like Christ's.

Today, Tim Keller takes a closer look at how we can develop this in our own lives

and how the resurrection

of Jesus makes true lasting transformation possible.

The scripture reading is from 1 Peter, chapter 1 through 2, and chapter 2, verses 9 through 12.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces

of Pontus, Galatia, Capadocia, Asia, and Bethinia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge

of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,

to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, God's special possession,

that you may declare the praises of him

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you are not a people,

but now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from sinful desires which wage war

against your soul.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they

may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

This is God's word.

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