Chapter 3—Characteristics of a Minister
The influence of a minister’s true Christian character is like
cheering rays of sunlight—God calls upon ministers who accept His
truth, and bear, in His name, the most solemn message ever given to
the world, to lift the standard of Bible truth, and exemplify its precepts
in their daily lives. Such a course would charm into believing many
who have intrenched themselves behind the breast-works of infidelity.
The influence of a true Christian character is like the cheering rays
of sunlight that pierce to the remotest corners of the dark places into
which they are allowed to enter. The light emanating from the example
of the true Christian minister should not be fitful and uncertain like the
flash of a meteor, but it should have the calm and steady radiance of
the heavenly stars.—
The Review and Herald, August 8, 1878
.
Judas exemplifies ministers who may love Jesus, but cling to
their objectionable traits of character—In Christ he beheld a char-
acter that was pure, harmless, and undefiled, and his heart was drawn
out in love for his Master. But the light that was shed upon him from
the character of Christ, brought with it the responsibility of yielding
up every natural or acquired trait that was not in harmony with the
character of Christ. In this Judas did not stand the test. The love of the
world was deeply rooted in his heart, and he did not give up his love
for the world, nor surrender his ambition to Christ. He never came to
the point of surrendering himself fully to Jesus. He felt that he could
retain his own individual judgment and opinion. While he accepted the
position of the minister of Christ, yet he never brought himself under
the divine moulding of Christ. He clung to his objectionable traits
of character, and indulged in his own sinful habits, and, instead of
becoming pure and Christlike, he became selfish and covetous.—
The
Signs of the Times, December 18, 1893
.
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