There is no more responsible situation in the whole world than that in which a faithful minister stands.

A) Before God. This is true in two ways. First, as a sinner saved by grace. He was once far off, but is now brought nigh by the blood of Jesus. Having "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh," he draws near. He stands within the veil, in the holiest of all, in the love of God. He is justified before God. A faithful minister is an example to his flock of a sinner saved. God says to him as He did to Abraham, "Walk before Me, and be thou perfect." He can say with Paul, "I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy." A faithful minister is like Aaron's rod that was laid up beside the ark of God and budded there.