Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon Quote

Morning, October 20

“Grow up into him in all things.”

Ephesians 4:15

Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so
as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing
of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. They exist but
do not “grow up into him in all things.”
But should we rest content with being in the “green blade,” when we
might advance to “the ear,” and eventually ripen into the “full corn in
the ear?” Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, “I
am safe,” without wishing to know in our own experience more of the
fulness which is to be found in him. It should not be so; we should, as
good traders in heaven’s market, 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 winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is
true, but O for a spring time—yea, a summer season, which shall give
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 shall we find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith,
in hope—yea, in every precious gift. As the sun rises first on
mountain-tops and gilds them with his light, and presents one of the
most charming sights to the eye of the traveler; 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 up in spiritual
stature, like Saul, above his fellows, till, like a mighty Alp,
snow-capped, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun
of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of his effulgence high aloft for
all to see, and seeing it, to glorify his Father which is in heaven.

Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon