NO MORE CHILDREN

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JULY 16

 

Ephesians 4:14

That we henceforth be no more children. Tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight

of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

 

This refers not to state, but to stature.
 
We are always in the relation of children, but in understanding we should be men.
 
The Lord has made provision for the growth of his people, and he exhorts them to grow.
 
We should advance in knowledge, children are satisfied with trifles, we should not be.
 
We should increase in strength, and become strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus.
 
We should also become more courageous against our foes, bold in the Lord’s cause, and steadfast in our attachment to divine things.
 
Our faith, our hope, our love, and our zeal should grow.
 
We should not be stationary; but from babes, grows up to young men; and from young men to fathers in Christ.
 
In order to our grow we must make use of food, exercise, and devotion; we must feed upon Christ, exercise all our graces, and live in fellowship with God.
 
That we may grow, the Lord has given us his book, his ordinances, and his Son.
 
He has promised that we shall “grow as the vine.” and “go forth and grow up as calves of the stall.”
 
Let us set our heart upon growing, and attend to this salutary caution, “That ye be no more children.”
 

Then, Lord, forbid that we

Should ALWAYS little children be;

But may our path shine more, we pray,

And more until the perfect day.

 
James Smith