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1. Of the things into which we are to "grow up," I should place, first, assurance — an assurance of our own forgiveness — an interest in Christ, and in all the promises. Assurance, or, which is almost the same thing, peace, is entirely a matter of "growth." It develops like the harvest; and many seasons have to pass over it. It begins in a little seed of trembling hope, which scarcely gives a sign, or sends out one shoot. Then you go on to a feeling of faith, which comes and goes, as capricious as an April day. Then you proceed to a trust, which begins to settle itself, and to spring upward. Then that trust becomes firmer and firmer; while, in exact proportion, the life rises visibly, but feebly, higher and higher, till you reach, through much discipline, and after many pains, and perhaps only at the very last — to an unquestioning faith, and entire confidence, and a belief that has not a shadow, that He is yours and you are His — that you can lie, covenanted, undertaken for, safe forever — sure as the everlasting hills — steadfast as the throne of God; while, all the time, the richness of the fruit bears ample testimony to the depth of the root.

2. Another thing into which we "grow," and a sure accompaniment of this increase of faith, and without which you may very justly suspect whether it is faith at all, is humility. Never think that humility belongs most to the young Christian, or to the earlier stages of the Divine Life.

3. Side by side with a deepening humility will come the exquisite grace of simplicity. Simple thoughts about truth, simple views of Christ, simple language about religion, simple manners, simple dress, simple conduct. The fine, and the showy, and the effective all belong to infancy.

4. Then another part of growth is, to "grow" out of self. They have got high up who have escaped from themselves. First, from self-indulgence; then from self-exaltation; self-consciousness. And, still higher, those who, scarcely looking into themselves at all, never seek in self what is only to be found in Christ. It was the characteristic feature of Christ Himself, that "He pleased not Himself." Let me tell you one or two of the great secrets of "growth." You must be happy. You wilt never grow till you are happy — happy in your own soul with God. Nothing will ever grow out of sunshine; and the sunshine of the heart is the felt smile of God. Then you must have communion with the holy, invisible things of another world. Growth is an influence from above. The higher atmosphere draws up the plants. Place yourself where the showers fall. Take in the virtue of strength through the drops of truth. And remember we "grow" from within. The heart first, the life afterwards. And use well what you have. Action is the key of growth. Therefore, the fierce winds blow over the forest — that each tree, and bough, and little spray, being moved, and shaken, the sap may the better run. Stirring things are to quicken us — that God's grace may operate, that we ourselves, not being stagnant, but active, and busy, and diffusive — may "grow"; grow up to that great Worker, who so travailed for us all. And you must yield yourselves to the Pruner's hand. Now there would be very little to gather in your gardens but for the dresser's knife.

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)

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

WEB: but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ;