Are You Growing Up?

[Daily Devotional]

Are You Growing Up? 

     But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ. Eph. 4:15.  

     It is no real evidence that you are a Christian because your
emotion is stirred, your spirit stirred by truth. The question is, Are
you growing up into Christ, your living head? Is the grace of Christ
manifested in your life? God gives His grace to men, that they may
desire more of His grace. God's grace is ever working upon the human
heart, and when it is received, the evidence of its reception will
appear in the life and character of its recipient, for spiritual life
will be seen developing from within. The grace of Christ in the heart
will always promote spiritual life, and spiritual advancement will be
made. We each need a personal Saviour or we shall perish in our sins.
Let the question be asked of our souls, Are we growing up unto Christ,
our living head? Am I gaining advanced knowledge of God, and of Jesus
Christ whom He hath sent? We do not see the plants grow in the field,
and yet we are assured that they do grow, and may we not know of our own
spiritual strength and growth?  

     When we are truly Christ's, our hearts will be full of meekness,
gentleness, and kindness, because Jesus has forgiven our sins. As
obedient children we shall receive and cherish the precepts He has
given, and shall attend to the ordinances He has instituted.  We shall
be seeking constantly to obtain a knowledge of Him. His example will be
our rule of life. Those who are Christ's disciples will take the work
where He left it and carry it forward in His name. They will copy the
words, the spirit, the practices, of none but Him. Their eye is upon the
Captain of their salvation. His will is their law. And as they advance,
they catch more and clearer views of His countenance, of His character,
of His glory. They do not cling to self, but hold fast His Word. . . .
They reduce their knowledge of His will to practice. They hear and do
the things that Jesus teaches. . . . Such are entitled to all the
promises of His Word. Becoming one with Christ, they do the will of God,
and exhibit the riches of His grace.

>From That I May Know Him - Page 163