CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT by I. E. Kimball

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 16, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 11.

CHRISTIAN DEVELOPMENT.

By I. E. Kimball

BY ELDER I. E. KIMBALL.

WE are born of the Spirit of God, "new-born babes," to grow up into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. The milk and meat wherewith we are nourished by the Spirit is "the word." "The word of the beginning" is the milk. But the Holy Spirit says that those who shall be taught knowledge and who should be made to understand doctrine, must be weaned from the milk; for line must be upon line, line upon line, precept upon precept. They must "leave the word of the beginning" and "go on unto perfection." As the Lord's word of truth is more fully taken into the heart, to him that hath is given, until the Lord's mind and purposes are fully manifest in him.

The Saviour likened this development to the seed which grows night and day, "first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear." And, like the mustard seed, which increases from slight beginnings to a wonderful growth, so we are to increase more and more in love, and more and more in faith, and "all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ." "I beseech you that ye increase more and more," said Paul. As the soul expands to take in the deep things of God, broader views of righteousness are received, so the apostle says of the gospel, "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed, from faith to faith." As from faith to faith we develop up into men and women in Jesus, the righteousness of God is revealed to us more and more.

Faith has been likened to a grain of mustard seed, which is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it becomes the greatest among herbs. Such an expansive strengthening faith as this will take hold upon the power of God, to cast out devils, to heal the sick, yea, to remove mountains if necessary. Such faith will overcome the world. Such power will make Satan tremble, and will shake his kingdom to its foundations.

As the gospel is the power of God, who then will take hold upon it? Who will seek it more sedulously than for silver and gold? Who will have the witness of the Spirit that their ways please God? Who will be sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise and have the pledge of eternal inheritance? No one who does not thus receive the earnest of the Spirit can stand with God's children in those days when the mystery of God is being finished and Satan is bringing all his power upon us.

But you say, I am a babe, and years must be had for development. God has thus been waiting for this very thing; but he will wait but little longer. Zealously follow the Spirit, which God, as freely as he gave his Son, gives to you now, and let your conscience bear you witness in the Holy Ghost, from day to day, and the progress which you have made in years will be doubled in months. Nor think it a hard task, a bitter struggle, for you may be strengthened with "all might according to his glorious power," and surely win today, according to all your heart; and this victory will give you more confidence for the next, until, although evil angels press upon you, they shall have no power over you, for you are clothed with the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.