The object which we must keep in view, in all our work and in seeking to find out what constitutes thorough instruction, is that ministers of the gospel are called to do more than sim ply make converts. The commission which Jesus gave to the apostles was, "Go ye into all the world, and make disciples." And in writing to those "disciples" that were made throng: their labors, the apostles addressed them as "saints." Who were they before they were made disciples?—They were heathen; formalists, Pharisees; they were a bad lot. But taken out of heathenism, they were made disciples, and after that they became known as saints of God—"saints scattered abroad."
Now we are sent to make "disciples;" but that means more than making converts to the dogmas which we hold as a people. The ultimate goal of our endeavor is to make saints; and we shall not be able to do that until we have ourselves passed through that experience which lifts into the realm of saintdom.
I believe that just here lies the secret of our difficulty. The vital thing lies back of all doctrinal instruction, however thorough that may be, and centers in the need of a spiritual experience through fellowship with the Lord Jesus. We may draw up rules and draft resolutions regarding our difficulty, but that will not accomplish what we need. There must come into the life of evangelist, pastor, district leader, or any other worker in the church, a spiritual experience which will enable him to cope successfully with these difficulties, great or small. In the midst of our spiritual activities our spiritual forces become depleted, unless we continually drink at the Fountain; and we cannot become channels of life unless the current of life is kept unobstructed. We are sent to make saints, not converts. In order to fulfill our commission, we must ourselves pass beyond the stage of converts into the realm of saintdom.
