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I read Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students several years ago, and I have reviewed portions of it at various times since. I have recently decided to sit at the feet of the "Prince of Preachers" once again. Today as I read on the "Minister's Self-Watch" my soul was encouraged and humbled as I reflected on the importance of examining myself. Illustrating the importance of self-watch, Spurgeon speaks of two trains whose functioning was adversely affected by a "broken screw" and some "flies in the grease-boxes of the carriage wheels." Spurgeon then writes: The analogy is perfect; a man in all other respects fitted to be useful, may by some small defect be exceedingly hindered, or even rendered utterly useless.
Then Spurgeon, with a forceful tenderness, argues for the importance of the minister's salvation and holiness. No amount of fees paid to learned doctors, and no amount of classics received in return, appear to us to be evidences of a call from above. True and genuine piety is necessary as the first indispensable requisite; whatever "call" a man may pretend to have, if he has not been called to holiness, he certainly has not been called to the ministry.
May we all heed Spurgeon's and Paul's advice: "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:16) For a great resource on disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness, please read and re-read Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by my friend Donald S. Whitney.
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