From Trials to Triumph

The Most Wonderful Career Possible

The conversion of sinners and their sanctification through the truth is the strongest proof a minister can have that God has called him. The evidence of his apostleship is written on the hearts of those converted, and is witnessed to by their renewed lives. A minister is greatly strengthened by these seals of his ministry. TT 173.4

Though in this age there are many preachers, there is a great scarcity of able, holy ministers, men filled with the love that dwelt in the heart of Christ. Pride, self-confidence, love of the world, fault-finding, are the fruit borne by many whose lives bear sad testimony to the character of the ministerial labor under which they were “converted.” TT 173.5

A man can have no greater honor than to be accepted by God as a minister of the gospel. But those whom the Lord blesses with power and success acknowledge their entire dependence on Him. Of themselves they have no power. With Paul they say, “Not that we are competent of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our competence is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant.” A true minister realizes that he sustains to the church and to the world a relation similar to that which Christ sustained. He works untiringly to lead sinners to a nobler, higher life. He uplifts Jesus as the sinner's only hope. Those who hear him know that he has drawn near to God in fervent, effectual prayer. The Holy Spirit has rested on him. His soul has felt the vital, heavenly fire. Hearts are broken by his presentation of the love of God, and many are led to inquire, “What must I do to be saved?” TT 174.1

“For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” TT 174.2

Thus the apostle magnified the grace and mercy of God. He and his brethren had been sustained in affliction and danger. They had not kept back truth in order to make their teaching attractive. And they had brought their conduct into harmony with their teaching, that truth might commend itself to every man's conscience. TT 174.3

“We have this treasure in earthen vessels,” the apostle continued, “to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.” It was not God's plan to proclaim His truth through sinless angels. The priceless treasure is placed in earthen vessels, human beings. Through them His glory is to shine forth. They are to meet the sinful and the needy and lead them to the cross. TT 174.4

Paul showed that in choosing the service of Christ he had not been prompted by selfish motives. “We are afflicted in every way,” he wrote, “but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.” TT 175.1

As Christ's messengers he and his fellow laborers were continually in peril. “While we live,” he wrote, “we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Through privation and toil, these ministers were conforming to Christ's death, but that which was working death in them was bringing life to the Corinthians. In view of this, the followers of Jesus were not to increase the burdens and trials of the laborers. TT 175.2

Nothing could induce Paul to conceal the conviction of his soul. He would not purchase wealth or pleasure by conformity to the opinions of the world. Though in constant danger of martyrdom, he was not intimidated; for he knew that He who had died and risen again would raise him from the grave and present him to the Father. TT 175.3