(with Ephesians 4:15)
There is a whole "Pilgrim's Progress" in this text from the wicket-gate to the Celestial City. And, indeed, it is a pilgrim's song, the song of the Israelites ascending from the extreme parts of their nation to the great assembling of the people. And the Church has through all ages adopted this word as the expression of its experience. Nothing gained is merely gained for rest, only for further and future acquisition.
I. The Gospel of Christ is a wonderful adaptation for the forming of a perfect man. It is adapted to every variety of character, to every variety of mental and moral state, to every variety of circumstance and condition. It touches the necessities of all, speaks to the yearnings of all, answers the questions of all, responds to the hopes of all, expands the affections of all. It says to all, Grow.
II. The truth is, man is a progressive being. "If he be not rising up to be an angel, he is sinking to be a devil." His tendency may be more downwards than upwards; and he may be perfect not only in Christ, but he may be, through passion and through the knowledge of sin, perfect in the enormity of sin.
III. This is the method of life with all of us. Every acquisition is the ground of future conquest. Every gain is only the hope of future gain. "And thus the righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger." "Till we all come to the stature of the perfect man in Christ Jesus." To this the individual, to this the race, shall come. In that future world to which our life is hastening there will be scope for every development. Thither our footsteps and our best ambitions turn; and surely, even in a "strange land," the going with weariness from strength to strength will be compensated by such a home.
E. Paxton Hood, Sermons,p. 163.
Notice a few unequivocal evidences of spiritual progress in the condition of the saint of God.
I. A growing sense of God.
II. A growing dependence upon Christ.
III. Increasing steadiness and success in the resistance of temptation.
IV. Decreasing absorption in worldly objects and attractions.
V. An increased unselfishness and disinterestedness of religious emotion.
VI. A deepened composure in anticipating death and eternity.
A. Mursell, Calls to the Cross,p. 141.
References: Psalms 84:7. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 349; H. M. Butler, Harrow Sermons,2nd series, p. 230; F. E. Paget, Helps and Hindrances to the Christian Life,vol. ii., p. 138; G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 107. Psalms 84:10. Ibid.,p. 252; J. N. Norton, Every Sunday,p. 114.