Essentials to Service
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to fail, but his apparent failure may be God’s way of bringing him
true advancement, and may mean a better knowledge of himself and
a firmer trust in Heaven. He may still make mistakes, but he learns
not to repeat these mistakes. He becomes stronger to resist evil, and
others reap benefit from his example.
Humility
The minister for God should in an eminent degree possess humility.
Those who have the deepest experience in the things of God are the
farthest removed from pride and self-exaltation. Because they have an
exalted conception of the glory of God, they feel that the lowest place
in His service is too honorable for them.
[143]
When Moses came down from the mount after forty days spent
in communion with God, he did not know that his face shone with a
brightness that was terrifying to those who beheld.
Paul had a very humble opinion of his advancement in the Christian
life. He speaks of himself as the chief of sinners. And again he says,
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect.”
[
Philippians 3:12
.] Yet Paul had been highly honored by the Lord.
Our Saviour declared John the Baptist to be the greatest of prophets;
yet when asked if he were the Christ, John declared himself unworthy
even to unloose his Master’s sandals. When his disciples came with the
complaint that all men were turning to the new teacher, John reminded
them that he was but the forerunner of the Coming One.
Workers with this spirit are needed today. The self-sufficient,
satisfied with themselves, can well be spared from the work of God.
Our Lord calls for laborers who, feeling their own need of the atoning
blood of Christ, enter upon their work, not with boasting or self-
sufficiency, but with full assurance of faith, realizing that they will
always need the help of Christ in order to know how to deal with
minds.
Earnestness
There is need of greater earnestness. Time is fast passing, and men
willing to work as Christ worked are needed. It is not enough to live a
quiet, prayerful life. Meditation alone will not satisfy the need of the