The most talented man can never do one single thing aright the first time. I believe it never was known for a man to do the thing rightly at first. Take what you will―take the most skillful driver of horses, when he began to drive, depend upon it he took the reins the wrong way. A man must be taught to do everything first, or he is sure to do it awkwardly. He has not the knack.
And so it is when we come to divine work. You are going to visit that sick person―who is going I want to know? Is it some nice Christian―some kind lady or gentleman? That won’t do. It should be Christ. And now just think of the gravity of Christ’s doing it. If you are going for Him, you must be in unison with Him about it. The very fact of the importance of the work, and the danger of your misrepresenting Him who does it, shows your need—and that is the secret— “Without Me ye can do nothing.” Neglect of this is the secret of all the failure. It is the cause in every instance. It is the cause of all our failures in service. I will sit lowest here if you like, but I repeat it, that is the cause of all failure. It is not that the motive is bad. You say I am well inclined. Inclination is not power―This is the only secret of power “to see Christ taken up.”