Morning By Morning #294

In all things grow up into him.

Ephesians 4:15

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Many Christians are stagnant and stunted in their spiritual growth, so much so they appear to be the same year after year. And many of them seem to lack any desire to advance or grow more knowledgeable. They simply exist but do not “in all things grow up into him.” But should we ever be content to remain only a green sprout when we have the opportunity to develop a crop and to eventually ripen into a full-grown ear of corn? Should we be satisfied merely to believe in Christ and say, “I’m safe,” but without the desire to experience more of the fullness that may be found in Him?

No! It should never be this way, for as good “traders” in heaven’s market we should yearn to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is fine to work in someone else’s vineyard, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and maturity. Why should it always be winter in our hearts? Yes, we all need a time of seeding in the spring, but we should move on to a summer season, which will then give us the hope of an early harvest.

If we truly desire to “ripen” in grace, we must be close to Jesus, living in His presence and becoming ripened in the sunshine of His smiles. We must have sweet fellowship with Him as well, no longer being satisfied with a long-distance view of His face but coming close to Him as John did when he “lean[ed] back against Jesus” (John 13:25) at the table. Only then will we find ourselves advancing in holiness, love, faith, and hope—indeed, in every precious gift.

Just as the rising sun first casts its golden beams across the mountaintops, giving passing travelers spectacular views, one of the most beautiful sights on earth is the glow of the Spirit’s light upon the head of a godly saint who has grown in spiritual stature, as Saul once stood “a head taller than any of the others” (1 Sam. 9:2). What a glorious sight to watch a saint mature to the point of becoming like a mighty Alp—snow-capped, chosen of God, and magnificently reflecting the bright rays of “the sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2) and His radiance, lifting Christ up for all to see the glory of His Father who is in heaven.

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Continuing on his theme from yesterday, Spurgeon encourages us to never be content with remaining “mere infants in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:1). Our text today, however, is taken from another epistle of Paul’s whereby he explains that the Lord desires we “be built up…and become mature.” Here is how he said it:

It was [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Ephesians 4:11 – 15