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The Ministry of Healing
men into touch with those whom they seek to benefit. “Bring the
poor that are cast out to thy house,” He says. “When thou seest the
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naked, that thou cover him.” “They shall lay hands on the sick, and
they shall recover.”
Luke 14:23
;
Isaiah 58:7
;
Mark 16:18
. Through
direct contact, through personal ministry, the blessings of the gospel
are to be communicated.
In giving light to His people anciently, God did not work exclu-
sively through any one class. Daniel was a prince of Judah. Isaiah
also was of the royal line. David was a shepherd boy, Amos a herds-
man, Zechariah a captive from Babylon, Elisha a tiller of the soil.
The Lord raised up as His representatives prophets and princes, the
noble and the lowly, and taught them the truths to be given to the
world.
To everyone who becomes a partaker of His grace the Lord ap-
points a work for others. Individually we are to stand in our lot and
place, saying, “Here am I; send me.”
Isaiah 6:8
. Upon the minister
of the word, the missionary nurse, the Christian physician, the in-
dividual Christian, whether he be merchant or farmer, professional
man or mechanic—the responsibility rests upon all. It is our work
to reveal to men the gospel of their salvation. Every enterprise in
which we engage should be a means to this end.
Those who take up their appointed work will not only be a bless-
ing to others, but they will themselves be blessed. The consciousness
of duty well done will have a reflex influence upon their own souls.
The despondent will forget their despondency, the weak will become
strong, the ignorant intelligent, and all will find an unfailing helper
in Him who has called them.
The church of Christ is organized for service. Its watchword is
ministry. Its members are soldiers, to be trained for conflict under the
Captain of their salvation. Christian ministers, physicians, teachers,
have a broader work than many have recognized. They are not only
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to minister to the people, but to teach them to minister. They should
not only give instruction in right principles, but educate their hearers
to impart these principles. Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted,
loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessing can be
retained only as it is shared.
The monotony of our service for God needs to be broken up.
Every church member should be engaged in some line of service