Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

in. Christian prudence should ever be connected with Christian zeal. It is
a great work to bring sinners to Christ; it is a greater work to preserve
them in the faith; and it requires much grace and much wisdom to keep
the church of Christ pure, not only by not permitting the unholy to enter,
but by casting out those who apostatize or work iniquity. Slackness in
discipline generally precedes corruption of doctrine; the former
generating the latter.
The ministers of God are compared to stewards, of whom the strictest
fidelity is required. 1. Fidelity to God, in publishing his truth with zeal,
defending it with courage, and recommending it with prudence. 2.
Fidelity to Christ, whose representatives they are, in honestly and fully
recommending his grace and salvation on the ground of his passion and
death, and preaching his maxims in all their force and purity. 3. Fidelity
to the church, in taking heed to keep up a godly discipline, admitting none
into it but those who have abandoned their sins; and permitting none to
continue in it that do not continue to adorn the doctrine of God their
Saviour. 4. Fidelity to their own ministry, walking so as to bring no blame
on the gospel; avoiding the extremes of indolent tenderness on one hand,
and austere severity on the other; considering the flock, not as their flock,
but the flock of Jesus Christ; watching, ruling, and feeding it according
to the order of their divine Master.
A preacher who is not a man of prayer cannot have a proper
knowledge of the nature and design of the gospel ministry; cannot be
alive to God in his own soul; nor is likely to become instrumental in the
salvation of others. In order to do good, a man must receive good: prayer
is the way in which divine assistance is received; and in the work of the
ministry, no man can do any thing unless it be given him from above. In
many cases the success of a preacher's labours depends more on his
prayers than on his public preaching.
Live to God, pray much, read much, labour hard, and have
immeasurable faith.