"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:18-19).
The fish will not come to them simply because they want them to. It is the same for Christians who are fishing for men. We have to GO to them. Sometimes we fall into the trap of believing that people will come to God when they get ready. Sadly, this is not always the case. We must go to them. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:19-20).
If one is fishing for bass, it is not very likely that he will catch one with a dough ball. Christians must use the correct bait. There are some who try to lure people into the church using gimmicks. They build big gymnasiums for kids to play. They put on plays and drama to attract people. This kind of "bait" attracts the wrong kind of "fish." The Lord said; "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." (John 12:32). In order to attract those who genuinely want to serve God all we have to do is teach them the gospel.
It is very rare to have a day where you are just pulling fish out of the water as fast as you can put your pole in. (When those days do occur, it is hard to get the fisherman home). Generally, there is some waiting involved. When we try to bring people to Christ, we must be patient also. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:9). A good fisherman does not let a few bad days bring him down. Rather, he looks forward to the future when the fish will be biting again.
We do this by obeying His commandments. He told us to go fishing. Let us do all that we can to bring souls to Christ.
-- Ralph Price (Streetsboro Church of Christ), January 2002 --
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