Quotes From Classic Christian Ministers

Quotes From Classic Christian Ministers

The Consequences of Drifting

Hebrews 3:12-13

Spiritual drifting­—the gradual wandering away from God and His will—takes place when a believer ceases to steer toward the Lord. Like a boat without oars that is set loose upon the waters, he or she makes a slow and lazy glide away from good practices like obedience, regular Bible study, prayer, and assembling with fellow Christians. And there are consequences for slipping into uncharted, dangerous waters.

A life adrift is outside of God’s will and therefore in sin. The Holy Spirit pricks the conscience to send a message when a believer is off course, but a drifter is prone to ignore such warnings. If a Christian continually excuses his wandering ways and denies sin, his conscience gradually gets numbed. A person who becomes desensitized to wrongdoing has paved the way for more sinful behavior with less guilt. Can you imagine a more dangerous situation?

As the drifting believer’s conscience becomes anesthetized, his spiritual ears are also deadened—truth cannot gain entrance, because he has invited wrong attitudes and philosophies into his thinking process. What’s more, his heart hardens to the things of God. Shrinking away from testimonies about divine power, grace, and mercy, he avoids situations that might reawaken the conscience and stir his spirit to repentance.

People drift from God in search of more—more freedom, choices, and pleasure. But since the consequences are a hard heart, a numb conscience, and dead ears, what they end up with is less. The drifting believer sacrifices the victorious life in Christ for an existence devoid of permanent satisfaction.

~Rev. Charles F. Stanley~

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What are the marks of a true shepherd?

(Arthur Pink)

"Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

How diligently should those who think of entering the ministry, scrutinize their motives; for thousands have abused this Divine institution through love of ease, desire for authority and fame, or love of money--and brought upon themselves "greater condemnation" (James 3:1). Thousands have invaded the pastoral office in an unauthorized manner--to fleece sheep rather than feed them--robbing Christ of His honor and starving His people.

Solemn beyond words is it to observe how sternly our Lord denounced these false shepherds of His day. (Matthew 23). As Ryle rightly said, "Nothing seemed so offensive to Christ as a false shepherd. Nothing ought to be so much feared by the Church, and be so plainly rebuked, opposed and exposed."

What are the marks of a true shepherd? How are God's people to identify those called and qualified by Him to minister unto His people?

First, the genuine pastor has the doctrine of Christ on his LIPS. The ministers of the new covenant are described as those who had "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness." Christendom today is infested with men who are full of deceit and hypocrisy, trimming their sails according to whatever direction the breeze of public opinion is blowing.

"We have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God." (2 Corinthians 4:2). The true servant of Christ holds back nothing which is profitable, no matter how unpalatable it may be unto his hearers. He is one who magnifies not himself, nor his denomination, but Christ--His wondrous Person, His atoning blood, His exacting claims.

Second, the genuine pastor has the Spirit of Christ in his HEART. It is the Spirit who opens to him the mysteries of the Gospel, so that he is "the faithful and wise servant" (Matthew 24:45). It is the Spirit of Christ who gives him a love for His sheep, so that it is his greatest delight to lead them into the green pastures of His Word. It is the Spirit of Christ who enables him to use "great boldness of speech" (2 Corinthians 3:12), so that he shuns not to declare all the counsel of God. It is the Spirit of Christ who makes him to be "prepared in season and out of season; to correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). It is the Spirit of Christ who gives efficacy to his ministry, making it fruitful according to the sovereign pleasure of God.

Third, the genuine pastor has the example of Christ in his LIFE, which is a conforming of him to the image of his Master. It is true, sadly true, that there is not one of them who does not fall far short both of the inward and outward image of Christ. Yet there are some faint tracings of His image visible in all His true servants. The image of Christ is seen in their words, spirit, and actions; otherwise we have no warrant to receive them as God's servants.

Find a man (no easy task today!) who has . . .
   the doctrine of Christ on his lips,
   the Spirit of Christ in his heart,
   the example of Christ in his life,
and you find one of His genuine ministers. All others are but thieves and robbers!

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The Slippery Spiritual Slope

The slippery slope to spiritual decline is one that is almost imperceptible.  One day you are on fire for God, and then before you know it, you are dull and lethargic.

How does spiritual decline happen?  I think there are at least four ways:

1. Through neglect.  If you neglect a garden, the weeds grow.  If you don't water the garden, it will eventually dry up.  Sometimes we get into a state where we need to be revived due to neglect.

2. Through the storms of life.  Life can sometimes beat you up.  Some people have been so beaten up that they are just worn down; and when you couple that with neglect, it is a recipe for spiritual disaster.

3. Through the influence of wrong company or wrong relationships.  1 Corinthians 15:33 says, Do not be deceived.  Evil company corrupts good habits. ." And the very next word is awake.  Awake to righteousness, and do not sin.  Do not be deceived.  Evil company, bad company, corrupts good habits.

4. Through willful disobedience.  I don't know anyone who hasn't been guilty at one time or another of willful disobedience.  And when that is not repented of, when it is not taken care of, it brings us into a state of spiritual decline that can be very dangerous.

So what do you do if you find yourself in spiritual decline?  Let me leave you with this verse, Hosea 6:1,

Come, and let us return to the LORD; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.

The same Spirit that convicts also comforts.  If you are convicted, repent.  Repentance is an inward change of heart resulting in an outward change of direction.  Return to the Lord and let Him heal you and bind you up.

~Bayless Conley~

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Bring nothing but your sins and miseries!

(Thomas Wilcox)

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ--the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith." Philippians 3:8-9

When you come to Christ--you must leave behind you:
  all your own righteousness,
  all your own holiness,
  all your own sanctification,
  all your own duties,
  all your own tears,
  all your own repentings, etc.
Oh, this is hard!

You must bring nothing but your sins and miseries to Him. Otherwise, Christ is not fit for you--nor you for Christ!