Living In The Light

September 20, Heart Service Needed By God’s Ministers

Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
—Romans 12:11 LL 278.1

Those who neglect personal relationship with the people become self-centered and need this very experience of placing themselves in communication with their brethren, that they may understand their spiritual condition and know how to feed the flock of God, giving to each his portion of meat in due season. Those who neglect this work make it manifest they need moral renovation, and then they will see they have not carried the burden of the work. LL 278.2

God calls for men and women to be laborers together with Him, to be workers who are sound in faith, pure in heart. They should work to glorify God by the saving of souls that are lost. God requires heart service. A service of form, lip service is wholly inefficient in the work of converting souls to God. A service that comes not from the heart is as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. LL 278.3

The heart must be stirred with the co-operative energy of the Holy Spirit; then standing in full view of the cross of Calvary by faith, the minister can communicate to others the divine inspiration of his theme. From a full treasure house he can bring forth things new and old which will stir the hearts of his hearers, and convicted, they will cry out, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). If the minister steps from the pulpit and separates himself from the people without making a special personal effort for those who have been touched by the love of Christ, he has lost an opportunity which he will never recover. LL 278.4

We need more missionary ministers, ministers who are missionaries in deed and in truth, who place themselves in communication with the Lord Jesus Christ by earnest prayer, by complete surrender to God, so that heaven’s message through them may be given to the world. Then they will not fail to make decided impressions, inciting those who hear them to repentance, faith, love, joy and earnest work for the Master. But in order to have the life-giving power from the Source of all light and knowledge, you must be responsive to every movement of the Holy Spirit, that His light may shine through you to the church and the world.—Letter 3, 1892. LL 278.5

Further Reflection: How does love for God condition our hearts to do service for others out of genuine care for their well-being? LL 278.6