Practical Godliness
221
simply please the fancy or gratify curiosity. Break the bread of life to
the people.—Lt 29, 1895.
Christ’s Lifestyle—Although it is not congenial to the natural
inclinations, the minister must proclaim the straight truth which will
make the ears of them that hear tingle; for they must lay before those
who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God the dangers and the
perils that are around them, and the doom that awaits the impenitent.
Because this message is not agreeable to their inclination or welcome
to those who must be warned, they are solemnly charged to be faithful
in its declaration. The minister will meet wrongs that will seem to defy
[346]
correction. They will be made aware of sins that seem to be covered
that will need to be exposed on the right hand and on the left. The
prophet says, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet,
and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their
sins. Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation
that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinances of their God”
[
Isaiah 58:1, 2
].
“I charge thee therefore 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 longsuffering and doctrine” [
2 Timothy 4:1, 2
].
The minister is not to indulge in the relation of anecdotes, but he is
to preach the Word. “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also
may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one
before another, doing nothing by partiality” [
1 Timothy 5:20, 21
]. “Be
thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity,
in spirit, in faith, in purity” [
1 Timothy 4:12
]. “Study to show thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth” [
2 Timothy 2:15
].
We are to present Christ to the people, following the words of the
apostle, where he says, “Whom we preach, warning every man, and
teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labor, striving according to
[347]
His working, which worketh in me mightily” [
Colossians 1:28, 29
].
Was it essential for Paul to have this experience? Read carefully his
words, and see if it is safe for any of the ministers of Christ to shape
their life according to any lower standard of godliness.—Lt 3, 1892.