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Morning and Evening

October 20, Morning

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Grow up into Him in all things." — Ephesians 4:15 · KJV

Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, presenting the same appearance year after year. No upspringing of advanced and refined feeling shows in them; they exist, but do not "grow up into Him in all things." But should we rest content with being the "green blade," when we might advance to "the ear," and at last ripen into "the full corn in the ear"? Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ and say, "I am safe," without wishing to know more, in our own experience, of the fullness to be found in Him? It should not be so. As good traders in heaven's market, we should covet to be enriched in the knowledge of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men's vineyards, but we must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it always be wintertime in our hearts? We must have our seedtime, it is true; but oh, for a springtime — yes, a summer season, giving promise of an early harvest! If we would ripen in grace, we must live near to Jesus — in His presence, ripened by the sunshine of His smiles. We must hold sweet communion with Him; we must leave the distant view of His face and come near, as John did, and pillow our head on His breast; then we shall find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith, in hope — yes, in every precious gift. As the sun rises first on the mountaintops and gilds them with light, presenting one of the most charming sights to the traveler's eye, so is it one of the most delightful contemplations in the world to mark the glow of the Spirit's light on the head of some saint who has risen in spiritual stature, like Saul, above his fellows — till, like a mighty snow-capped Alp, he reflects first among the chosen the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of His brightness high aloft, for all to see, and, seeing it, to glorify His Father who is in heaven.