Dear Reader
“Grow up into Him in all things” (Ephesians 4:15).
TRUE Christianity is a life. A life grows. True Christianity is not a simple change of opinion, the adoption of a creed, the taking of a name, or a profession: It is the receiving of a life. And where there is life, there must be growth.
“Christ in you” is a great accomplished fact for every believer. Christ is the life of the renewed soul; for each one, a question of the utmost importance is this: “Am I giving that life fair opportunity for development?” I am afraid the spirit of the world is invading many Christian homes and churches, and that instead of the development of life into all the holy and beautiful features of the character of Jesus the Lord, it is too often buried under a mass of worldliness.
This life will not develop in the air of the godless worldly circle. The Christian must keep himself unspotted from the world—must keep on Christ’s side of the dividing line. “Grow up!” The growth that Jesus gives is a growth into higher motives, purer thoughts, nobler aims; a growth that takes one further and further still from earth.
A man of God once prayed, “Lord, grant that every day I live I may be less like what I used to be, and more like that which I shall be when Christ comes.” This is what we need―what some of us long for and pray for; a growth that increasingly leaves the world behind.
Such a life is worth living. “Grow up into Him.” Oh, to be lost in Him! so that, like Paul, we may each say, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”
It is only as we grow up into Him that we can have any real spiritual influence over others. The measure of our power to be a help or blessing to others is the measure in which we are filled with Christ.
The New Testament abounds in proofs that the only source of permanent spiritual life in the Christian is found in his vital inward union with Christ. Christ is in him his hope of glory. As no branch bears fruit except it abides in the vine, neither will the Christian bear fruit unless he abides in Christ; but abiding in Him we grow in love, humility, and knowledge.
May the Lord Jesus, by His grace, help all His people to live in His power, for His glory, until He comes.
Praying that the Lord would use the articles in this issue to build you up on your most holy faith, that you might drew closer to Him during the summer month so you can grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your e-mails and notes of encouragement. Please keep praying for the Lord’s blessing on Toward the Mark.
Yours in our soon-coming Lord,
Emil S. Nashed
Please send your questions and comments to:
Toward The Mark
c/o Wayne Christian Assembly
60 Smith Lane
Wayne, NJ 07470-5354
Attention: Emil S. Nashed
www.towardthemark.org
