p. 395 | RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRIST’S MINISTERS

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · June 17, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 25

RESPONSIBILITY OF CHRIST’S MINISTERS.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

The object of Christ’s ministry upon the earth was to reveal himself to mankind, and to exemplify the truths of his gospel. His was a life of disinterested benevolence. He was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. He was the captain of the Lord’s host, and the author of life, yet “he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” He had glory with the Father before the world was, and was adored by angels; but he “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” He was the Creator, and possessed all power in Heaven and in earth; but in his humiliation he became subject to the frailties of human nature.

When emaciated with a fast of forty days, he refused to work a miracle to satisfy the demands of hunger. His divine power was never displayed to save himself from physical or mental suffering. He trod the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with him. He strewed blessings wherever he went; he healed the sick, comforted the sorrowing, bound up the broken-hearted. His great heart of love comprehended human suffering, and administered sympathy to all who applied to him; yet he died broken-hearted. This was Christ.

Christ’s ministers are his ambassadors. An “ambassador” is a minister of the highest rank, employed by a government to represent it, and manage its interests.” So the work of the gospel has been committed to representative men. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us.” “All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.” How important, then, the work of the gospel minister. What a responsibility rests upon him who takes the position of an ambassador for Jesus Christ. He becomes responsible, not only for his personal influence, but for the work committed to him. In a special sense he is accountable to God for the use he makes of his time, his talents, and all that he possesses. All his influence should be devoted to the interests of his Master. In the day of Judgment the great Shepherd will make him answerable for the flock committed to his charge. If, through his neglect, souls fall a prey to Satan and are lost, or if sins which he has committed prove their ruin, unless he sincerely repents and makes amends in his life, the blood of their souls will be found upon his garments.

The burden of the work of saving souls is not confined to the ministers. The church should be so instructed as to feel that the responsibility of this work rests on them also. God has committed to each talents of usefulness, and these he will require with usury. The minister should be an example to the flock in life, character, conversation, and self-denial. The most worthy minister is he who is most like his divine Lord, who ever feels that he is under obligation to lead a life of sacrifice and self-denial that others may receive the benefits of this great salvation. “For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.”

He who consults his own interests or ease to the neglect of laboring for others, is unworthy the name and position of a gospel minister; so also is he who ever feels that others are under obligation to him, and who is continually looking for that honor and respect which he imagines is his due. It is a great privilege to suffer for Christ’s sake, and to bear in our bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus. “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.” “If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him.” “If we deny him, he also will deny us.”

The apostle Paul “was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.” None suffered more, none sacrificed more. His former advantages of worldly position and honor he counted as naught that he might win Christ. While lying upon his lacerated back in an inner prison, his feet fast in the stocks, he sang praises to God. He ever felt that he was under obligation to others for the glorious light he had received. Writing to the Romans he said, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.” He became all things to all men, so that by all means he might save some. At the close of his life this hero of faith exclaimed, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.”

The work of the gospel is about to close. The last message of mercy, announcing the coming Judgment, is being proclaimed. Ministers enter the field, and take the responsibility of representing their self-denying Master. But oh, the contrast! Where is the self-sacrificing spirit which Christ and his early apostles manifested? Who feels the responsibility of “warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom,” that he “may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus”? To teach men in all wisdom embraces such instruction as will cause them to feel it a privilege to labor for the salvation of others.

Many, very many precious hours are wasted in unnecessary sleep. Days, weeks, and months pass while some are getting ready to do something. The truth is nominally presented, and men and women profess the theory of it. Those who thus receive the truth feel no interest in the Sabbath-school or missionary work, nor in laboring for others. Laborers are wanted who feel that God holds them responsible for educating the people in the various interests of his work,—laborers who can build up the cause of God. The Saviour says, “Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition.”

Have those who have embraced the truth under our labors been really converted to God and his truth? Have the general interests of the cause been presented, and men and women been instructed to feel a burden and responsibility for them? Have the sick been healed, the weak strengthened, and the wavering established? These questions are of serious import, and we shall be called to meet them in the great day of final reckoning, which is just before us.