BUT
By ARTHUR E. GORDON
H ow many times have you heard the expression, “ I like our pastor, but . . .” ? I wonder how many min istries have been hindered by this ex pression. “ I like our pastor, BUT he lacks tact in dealing with people.” “ I like our pastor, BUT he does not have a glowing personality.” “ I like our pastor, BUT he does-riot visit enough.” “ I like our pastor, BUT his speaking voice is sort of monotonous.” On and on we could go; the list is endless. The “ buts” are numerous and varied when speaking of pastors and their work. When was the last time you made such a remark concerning your pastor? As true as the statement may be, nevertheless it should not be said. No good can come from such remarks. Remember, even though he is in the ministry, your pastor is a human being and subject to all of the temp tations and shortcomings to which you are — possibly even more. “Yes,” you say, “ but his shortcom ings are hindering the work in our church; souls are no longer being saved, Christians are leaving and go ing elsewhere to church.” This might very well be true, but your pastor needs something more than your dis- cuss:on of his faults with others. The need of every minister of Christ, whether missionary, evange list, teacher, or pastor is deeper than
the mere shortcomings which are obvious on the exterior. All have a deep need of the heart which when met will cause his few faults to fade into insignificance. This need is the fullness of the Holy Spirit in his life and ministry. After a service one night, Dwight L. Moody was approached by two ladies who had been in attendance. He was shocked, and somewhat irritated, when the women told him they were going to pray that he might be filled with the Holy Spirit. At the time he was attracting fairly large crowds, with a few souls being saved. Before long, however, Mr. Moody, too, realized the need of the fullness of God, the Holy Spirit, in his ministry. He began to pray with these ladies for this fullness. Two years later *—» ac cording to his testimony — Moody, while walking down a street in New York Citv, received the answer to this prayer. From that time forward the ministry of this man of God was phenomenal. He preached the same sermons, in the same way, at the same places but great things began to hap pen. Thousands were brought under conviction of sin and saved. Other thousands were strengthened in the faith and emboldened in witnessing. If you would help your pastor and your church, begin earnestly to pray
for the fullness and the power of God’s Spirit in them. Much more will be accomplished by such a prayer than all the talking you and your fellow church members can do. Believe that God wants to blS'ss the work and pray accordingly. The Bible declares that “God . . . is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). I am fully aware that all Christians do not agree regarding the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the child of God, but one-thing upon which I think we do agree is that we need the Holy Spirit with all His power to operate in and through us i f we are to bear eternal fruit. This your pastor needs. Likewise, your church; and each working member of your church. Yes, YOU also need this experience. Rather than discussing among your selves the faults of your pastor, begin today to petition God that the Holy Spirit might come in power into your midst. The command from the Bible is, “ Be not drunk with wine . . . but be filled with the Spirif’ (Ephesians 5:18). And the promise follows, “ . . . your heavenly Father [ shall] give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him” (Luke 11:13). Printed by permission of the American Tract Society. Copies available from the BIOLA BOOK ROOM. 560 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, Calif.
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THE KING 'S BUSINESS
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