In Christ’s Stead
13
wavering, uncertain note. Not for wages are they to labor, but because
they cannot do otherwise, because they realize that there is a woe upon
them if they fail to preach the gospel.
[16]
Faithfulness in Service
The minister who is a co-worker with Christ will have a deep sense
of the sacredness of his work, and of the toil and sacrifice required to
perform it successfully. He does not study his own ease or convenience.
He is forgetful of self. In his search for the lost sheep, he does not
realize that he himself is weary, cold, and hungry. He has but one
object in view,—the saving of the lost.
He who serves under the blood-stained banner of Emmanuel often
has that to do which calls for heroic effort and patient endurance. But
the soldier of the cross stands unshrinkingly in the forefront of the
battle. As the enemy presses the attack against him, he turns to the
Stronghold for aid; and as he brings to the Lord the promises of the
Word, he is strengthened for the duties of the hour. He realizes his
need of strength from above. The victories that he gains do not lead to
self-exaltation, but cause him to lean more and more heavily on the
Mighty One. Relying upon that power, he is enabled to present the
message of salvation so forcibly that it awakens an answering chord in
other minds.
The Lord sends His ministers to hold forth the word of life, to
preach, not “philosophy and vain deceit,” nor “science falsely so
called,” but the gospel, “the power of God unto salvation.” [
Colos-
sians 2:8
;
1 Timothy 6:20
;
Romans 1:16
.] “I charge thee therefore,”
Paul wrote to Timothy, “before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
[17]
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they
shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto
fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” [
2 Timothy 4:1-5
.]
In this charge every minister has his work outlined,—a work that he
can do only through the fulfilment of the promise that Jesus gave to