The demeanor and conversation of God's ambassador out of the pulpit will be in keeping with the sacred truth he is commissioned to bear. Like the ancient high priest, he will bear at all times upon his heart the people for whom he labors, and especially as he approaches the throne of grace. Constantly beholding Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, "all the powers of the mind and of the whole being will be elevated, refined, and directed in the loftiest, holiest channel."
"Would that every minister might realize the sacredness of his office and the holiness of his work, and show the courage that Elijah showed! As divinely appointed messengers, ministers are in a position of awful responsibility. They are to 'reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering.' In Christ's stead they are to labor as stewards of the mysteries of heaven, encouraging the obedient and warning the disobedient. With them worldly policy is,to have no weight. Never are they to swerve from the path in which Jesus has bidden them walk. They are to go forward in faith, remembering that they are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. They are not to speak their own words, but words which One greater than the potentates of earth has bidden them speak. Their message is to be, 'Thus saith the Lord !' God calls for men like Elijah, Nathan, and John the Baptist,—men who will bear His message with faithfulness, regardless of the consequences; men who will speak the truth bravely, though it call for the sacrifice of all they have.
"God cannot use men who, in time of peril, when the strength, courage, and influence of all are needed, are afraid to take a firm stand for the right. He calls for men who will do faithful battle against wrong, warring against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It is to such as these that He will speak the words : 'Well done, good, and faithful servant; . . . enter thou' into the joy of thy Lord.' "—Prophets and Kings, p. 142.
The home of the worker for God is his sanctuary. Here he should find a quiet place of retreat where his spirit is refreshed and his soul is watered with the dews of heavenly grace. He should dwell within the holy place, walking in its soft, radiant light, partaking of the Bread of His Presence, and breathing the atmosphere of grace made fragrant with the sweet perfume of the incense offered anew each morning and evening upon the golden altar. He does not minister there alone, but, together with his life companion, in a heavenly atmosphere, they are girded for their high and holy work.
By frequent visits to the holy of holies—"the audience chamber with God"—the life is beautified, the intellect quickened and invigorated, the will is rightly directed and controlled; it is strengthened for great decisions and is kept free from perverseness; the brain, the heart, the nerves, are touched with healing; the highest energies of the being are roused to activity; the soul is freed from guilt and sorrow, from the anxiety and care that crush the life forces; serenity and composure are expressed in the countenance; the soul is animated with joy "that nothing earthly can destroy,—joy in the Holy Spirit,—healthgiving, life-giving joy."—Ministry of Healing, p. 113. (Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 327.)
Thus alone can one be fitted to go forth as Jehovah's messenger, to minister in holy things, as an ambassador for Christ to persuade men in His name to be reconciled to God. May we be made able ministers of the glorious gospel of the blessed Lord.
