Christ’s Ambassadors
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themselves instead of feeding the flock and attending to their pastoral
duties, the people perish for want of proper instruction.
In every discourse fervent appeals should be made to the people to
forsake their sins and turn to Christ. The popular sins and indulgences
of our day should be condemned and practical godliness enforced. The
minister should be deeply in earnest himself, feeling from the heart
the words he utters and unable to repress his feeling of concern for
the souls of men and women for whom Christ died. Of the Master
it was said: “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up.” The same
earnestness should be felt by His representatives.
An infinite sacrifice has been made for man, and made in vain for
every soul who will not accept of salvation. How important, then that
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the one who presents the truth shall do so under a full sense of the
responsibility resting upon him. How tender, pitiful, and courteous
should be all his conduct in dealing with the souls of men, when the
Redeemer of the world has shown that He values them so highly. The
question is asked by Christ: “Who then is a faithful and wise servant,
whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household?” Jesus asks, Who?
and every minister of the gospel should repeat the question to his own
heart. As he views the solemn truths, and his mind beholds the picture
drawn of the faithful and wise steward, his soul should be stirred to
the very depths.
To every man is given his work; not one is excused. Each has a
part to act according to his capacity; and it devolves upon the one who
presents the truth to carefully and prayerfully learn the ability of all
who accept the truth, and then to instruct them and lead them along,
step by step, letting them realize the burden of responsibility resting
upon them to do the work that God has for them to do. It should be
urged upon them again and again that no one will be able to resist
temptation, to answer the purpose of God, and to live the life of a
Christian unless he shall take up his work, be it great or small, and
do that work with conscientious fidelity. There is some thing for all
to do besides going to church and listening to the word of God. They
must practice the truth heard, carrying its principles into their everyday
life. They must be doing work for Christ constantly, not from selfish
motives, but with an eye single to the glory of Him who made every
sacrifice to save them from ruin.