Fishing!

Fishing may be an enjoyable way to pass the time, but should one not be mindful of that for which they are fishing? There are heavy fines for fish caught out of season. Also, in some waters, what is pulled into the boat could be dangerous. Another thing to consider is what kind of bait is being used and what it might attract. Is there a sense in which all of this may also be true with regard to our purpose in life?

Peter, Andrew, James, and John had been partners in fishing. When Jesus called them to follow Him, He told them He was going to make them fishermen of a different sort; “FISHERS OF MEN.” ( Matthew 4:19) Jesus was going to train them for the work of reaching out to lost souls.

Someone has stated, “Some preachers fish for compliments while others fish for men.” [source: “1600 Squibs And Quips”, compiled by E. C. McKenzie]

Such is worthy of introspection by any preacher of the Word. However, for all of us as Christians, should we not be mindful of WHAT WE ARE FISHING FOR and what might be the bait we are casting out there hoping for a bite?

Jesus cautioned…
“WOE TO YOU, WHEN ALL PEOPLE SPEAK WELL OF YOU, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” ( Luke 6:26 ESV)

The most popular prophets were those who spoke what the people wanted to hear. (note Micah 2:11) The ones who spoke the truth often had their lives threatened.

We all appreciate compliments. We are encouraged when others speak well of us. However, we must be cautious that we do not allow the compliments of others to cause us to begin pleasing them more than seeking to please God. (note contrast between John 12:43 and Acts 5:29) Certainly there are aspects of our Christian life that should be seen as good and honorable by the world. Nevertheless, it is possible to reach a point where we are highly complimented by the world because we are not much different from it. As Jesus noted in His prayer for His disciples, we too should recognize the sense in which we are in the world, but not of it. ( John 17:14-18) Earlier Jesus had told His disciples that if they were of the world, the world would love them as its own. ( John 15:19) They were in the world for a purpose and that was not to fish for compliments, but to please God by remaining focused on FISHING FOR MEN. And the truth of the Gospel of Jesus -- not the ideologies of the world or simply saying what others might want to hear ( 2 Timothy 4:3) -- is still to be the bait held out as others are drawn in.

Like the disciples we too need to be faithful to the trust we have received, to the message we have been given, and therefore to the great need of the souls of others being drawn to Christ. May the saving truth others need to hear be more important to us than the compliments we might receive as we bear in mind that “in season and out of season” ( 2 Timothy 4:2) it is open season for the souls around us.

Have a great day KEEPING THE LINE OF GOD OUT THERE!
Carl

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