And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Matt 4:19,20 nasb
I don’t get a chance to do much fishin’ anymore, but one thing that I find downright frustating is when that ole’ fish just plays with and eats the bait without ever takin’ ahold of the hook. It can get plum annoying…bob, bob, bob spinning around in the water move back & forth… the whole time you’re talking to the fish…
“Get up here and take your medicine you little catfish! Come on…take it…come & get it,” but he never does! It can be gravatin’ to no end! Every fisherman likes a fish that takes the bait – hook, line & sinker! We don’t like smart alec, trouble-maker fish!
Yep, those words Jesus said: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” it has a totally different mean-ing. Fishin’ for folks, sometimes makes us have to deal with a difficult catch.
I’ve told a few folks about Jesus and how He loves them, that, well…they seem like they’re interested…they nibble at God’s truth but they just never latch on.
I’ve seen some good cowboys get close but yet walk away from eternal life. Close don’t get it.
Well, so how do we share the good news of Jesus in such a way that people will take it hook, line & sinker?
You have to, “…sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (1 Peter 3:15 nasb)
Always be ready to give an answer to whoever asks you about Jesus. And understand that only through Him can we accomplish anything. We are to do the catchin’ and Jesus does the cleanin’!
Peter tells us we have to be ready to share Jesus; ready to give an answer for the hope we have.
Most folks call it “sharing your testimony.” But, how do I do that? Some folks have visions of having to stand on a box at a street corner and preaching, “Repent for all of y’all are on your way to hell. So, why don’t we focus more on, God loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him will never perish but have eternal life in heaven with God!
We ought to focus more on relating our own relationship with Christ and how that all came about. It’s as simple as answering these questions:
#1. What caused you to seek God? Was it a person or perhaps an event?
#2: How did it happen? Explain how you came into relationship with Christ.
#3: What has happened since you gave your life to Christ?
When your fishing-for-men your testimony is important so be ready to share it! Here is mine: When I was 9 years old, I knew I was lost, I knew I needed Jesus. My parents took me to church so I knew I was a sinner and on my own, I was headed for hell. So right beside my bed one night I got on my knees and asked Jesus to come in, and be in charge of my life. I asked him to forgive me of my sins and thanked Him for dying to make that possible. Since that time, even though I fall short of His perfection, I know that through Him, He will accomplish perfection in me.
Luke 12:35 says, “Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.”
Choose Jesus, choose life and let your light shine! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! And pray for rain!