Robert Murray M’Cheyne, a godly Scottish pastor who understood well the importance of a holy live in the ministry, wrote thus to a ministerial friend:
How diligently a cavalry officer keeps his sabre [heavy cavalry sword] clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God’s sword, His instrument—I trust, a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the human instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful [i.e. awesome] weapon in the hand of God.1
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.