September 10, 2009 • 3:02 pm
“Where are the young men and women of this generation who will hold their lives cheap and be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will lose their lives for Christ’s sake — flinging them away for love of him? Where are those who will live dangerously and be reckless in his service? Where are his lovers — those who love him and the souls of men more than their own reputations or comfort or very life?
Where are the men who say ‘no’ to self, who take up Christ’s cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field, who are willing, if need be, to bleed, to suffer and to die on it?
Where are the adventurers, the explorers, the buccaneers for God, who count one human soul of far greater value than the rise or fall of an empire? Where are the men who are willing to pay the price of vision?
Where are the men of prayer?
Where are God’s men in this day of God’s power?”
Howard Guinness, Sacrifice, pages 59-60.
(HT: Ray Ortlund)
Filed under: Christ our treasure, Courage, Discipleship, Gospel-centred, Love for God, Missional living, The Christian Life, Zeal
The righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1
“Two things urgently needed in ministers, if they would attempt great advances for the kingdom of Christ, are zeal and resolve. Their influence and power for impact are greater than we think. A man of ordinary abilities will accomplish more with zeal and resolve than a man ten times more gifted without zeal and resolve. . . . Men who are possessed by these qualities commonly carry the day in almost all affairs. Most of the great things that have been done in the world, the great revolutions that have been accomplished in the kingdoms and empires of the earth, have been primarily owing to zeal and resolve. The very appearance of a intensely engaged spirit, together with a fearless courage and unyielding resolve, in any person that has undertaken leadership in any human affair goes a long way toward accomplishing the intended outcome. . . . When people see a high degree of zeal and resolve in a person, it awes them and has a commanding influence upon them. . . . But while we are cold and heartless and only go on in a dull manner, in an old formal round, we will never accomplish anything great. Our efforts, when they display such coldness and irresolution, will not even make people think of yielding. . . . The appearance of such indifference and cowardice does, as it were, call for and provoke opposition. Our misery is lack of zeal and courage.”
Jonathan Edwards, “Thoughts on the Revival,” in Works, I:424, paraphrased.
Whenever the righteous are bold as a lion, the impact for Christ is unmistakable.
(HT: Ray Ortlund)
Filed under: Christian Ministry, Courage, Discipleship, Jonathan Edwards, News & Views, The Christian Life, Zeal
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