Charles Finney
He leads me …
We can learn a lot from the lives of Christians in the past. One such person is Charles Finney. He was a lawyer who became a minister in the early 1800’s and was involved in some of the revivals in America at that time.
It has been said by biblical historians that Charles Finney was perhaps the greatest leader of the Second Great Awakening where revivals and emotional preaching, sparked a number of reform movements.
He produced Preacher Save Thyself which was printed by the Willard Tract Repository and later included in the publication Power From On High.
It is a list of 64 points that Preachers (and Ministers) should follow to maintain a healthy ministry.
Finney’s text at the top of the publication is –
Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy NKJV)
Here are some of the points that apply to us all -
1. Constantly maintain a close walk with God.
2. Make the Bible your book of books. Study it much, upon your knees, waiting for divine light.
3. Keep yourself pure--in will, in thought, in feeling, in word and action.
4. Contemplate much the guilt and danger of sinners, that your zeal for their salvation may be intensified.
5. Also deeply ponder and dwell much upon the boundless love and compassion of Christ for them.
6. So love them yourself as to be willing to die for them.
7. Give your most intense thought to the study of ways and means by which you may save them. Make this the great and intense study of your life.
8. Refuse to be diverted from this work. Guard against every temptation that would decrease your interest in it.
9. Believe the declaration of Christ that He is with you in this work always and everywhere, to give you all the help you need.
10. "He that winneth souls is wise;" and "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and he shall receive." "But let him ask in faith." Remember, therefore, that you are guaranteed to have the wisdom that shall win souls to Christ.
11. Being called of God to the work, make your calling your constant argument with God for all that you need for the accomplishment of the work.
12. Be diligent and hard working, "in season and out of season."
13. See that your own habits are in all respects correct; that you are temperate in all things -- free from the stain or smell of tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or anything of which you have reason to be ashamed, and which may stumble others.
14. Be not "light-minded," but "Set the Lord always before you."
15. Bridle your tongue, and be not given to idle and unprofitable conversation.
16. Avoid all exaggeration and sham in all things. Be what you profess to be, and you will have no temptation to "make believe."
17. Let simplicity, sincerity, and Christian respectability stamp your whole life.
18. Spend much time every day and night in prayer and direct communion with God. This will make you a power for salvation. No amount of learning and study can compensate for the loss of this communion. If you fail to maintain communion with God, you are "weak as another man."
19. See that "the fear of man that bringeth a snare" is not upon you. Let people understand that you fear God too much to be afraid of them.
20. Be sure to "commend yourself to every man's conscience in the sight of God."
21. Be "not a lover of filthy money."
22. Avoid every appearance of vanity.
23. Compel people to respect your sincerity and your spiritual wisdom.
24. Never flatter the rich.
25. Be especially attentive to the wants and instruction of the poor.
26. Suffer not yourself to be bribed into a compromise with sin by donation parties.
27. See that you personally know and daily live upon Christ.
Assuming that Charles Finney lived by these standards himself, it is no wonder that he was so influential in the revivals that took place during the Second Great Awakening.
And we would do well to follow the list too.
