September 2, 1909

Ministers as Christ's Representatives

EGW

The religion of Jesus Christ should be an apparent quality in the lives of his workers. They must know Christ, and to know him, they must know his love. Their fitness as workers should be measured by their ability to love as Christ loved, and to work as he worked. The whole man must be sanctified, purified, refined, ennobled. When Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, the worker will realize that as the representative of Christ, words and works and thoughts must be such as can meet the approval of God.RH September 2, 1909, par. 1

The Lord's messengers should have an intelligent understanding of the pattern that Christ came to the world to give to men. The Saviour was a man of tenderest sympathies; he was susceptible to the needs of all with whom he came in contact, and who were in need of his help. He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. In presenting the word, let the workers dwell on his susceptibility to the griefs and sorrows of men. Let them present before those who have spoiled their lives by self-indulgence, and who are impatient and fretful, the beauty of Christ's life from the manger to the cross. His lovely character is the pattern for every human soul.RH September 2, 1909, par. 2

To labor for the conversion of souls is the highest, noblest work in which the human agent can engage. But in our working for this object must be revealed the fact that we are laying hold of the grace of Christ, that we are guided and controlled by the Spirit of God. His holiness, his power, his unbounded love, revealed in the human instrument, will convict and convert souls. When the presence of Christ fills the life, the worker has a sense of divine power with him. The fact that he is a joint worker with God captivates his affections and desires, and fills him with earnest love for the souls for whom he labors.RH September 2, 1909, par. 3

We need to have a broader view of the Saviour as “Christ and Lord.” “All power” is given to him to give to those who believe in his name. We do not half acknowledge his right to our homage and obedience, and to our increasing faith in him. We need to understand the depth of significance there is in the words of the apostle, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, and not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory....RH September 2, 1909, par. 4

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,” the apostle continues, “bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”RH September 2, 1909, par. 5

The work to be done at this period of time demands that the channels appointed to receive the living waters for thirsty souls be greatly multiplied. The work is to be done through unselfish effort. Every advance move made now must be made with increasing effort; for Satan is working with all his powers to increase the difficulties in our way. He works with all deceivableness of unrighteousness to secure the souls of men. I am charged to say to ministers of the gospel, and to our missionary physicians, Go forward. The work to be done calls for self-sacrifice at every step; but go forward. The worker who reveals a right spirit and consistent behavior under trying circumstances is proving his adaptability for his work. He is qualifying himself to meet all kinds of minds, and to be a true representative of the Master Worker. Those who will yield to the Holy Spirit's guidance will come forth purified and refined, as gold from the fire.RH September 2, 1909, par. 6

The knowledge that souls are perishing in their sins should arouse every worker to greater fervor in giving the light of present truth to all within his reach. He should never forget that whenever a soul is truly converted, God is glorified, and angels in heaven burst forth into singing.RH September 2, 1909, par. 7

All who would have success in the work must tarry long with God. The story is told of an old Lancashire woman who was listening to the reasons her neighbors gave for their minister's success. They spoke of his gifts, of his style of address, of his manners. “Nay,” said the old woman. “I will tell you what it is. Your man is very thick with the Almighty.”RH September 2, 1909, par. 8

Our fitness for God's service will be found in constant communion with him. When we consecrate ourselves to God, the power which comes alone from God will bring definite results in our work. We are to act as in the presence of God; his eye is ever upon us; his eye is guiding us. We must die to self before God can use us fully to his name's glory. If we will learn of Christ as little children, we shall make a success wherever we are.RH September 2, 1909, par. 9

The workers need to study the life of Christ until they give themselves unreservedly to him. “It is the spirit that quickeneth,” Christ declared, “the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Those who practise the words of Christ become one with him. Their lives represent the pure principles of the Word in simplicity and meekness. The apostle Paul wrote, “I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”RH September 2, 1909, par. 10

I am very thankful for the instruction that has come to us regarding the relation we sustain to God as his servants. We are to be under the rule of Christ, to work out the mind and will of God. We are to be kind and courteous to our fellow workers because they also are the property of Christ, bought with a price. The price that Christ paid to purchase our redemption we can not estimate. He, the only begotten Son of God, gave his precious life that those who believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. When we comprehend more fully this amazing sacrifice made in our behalf, we shall not be indifferent and ungrateful, but we shall partake with him of self-denial and self-sacrifice. The Lord is to be our praise in this life, and in the future eternal life. Let us strive for the crown of life that is to be given to every faithful soul.RH September 2, 1909, par. 11