| Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything |
| (... If you don't believe it now, just keep on with Jesus) |
| "Follow ME, and I will make you Fishers of Men" |
| That sentence is Red in my Bible folks! |
| Have you ever thought of your Christian walk as paying a price or counting a cost? I have wondered lately just how successful I am at following Jesus, and at the same time I wondered just how successful the body of Christ is at following Jesus. Can you imagine a head moving along without the rest of the body? That's what seems to happening. Or at least a lousy attempt. |
| The invitation to "Follow" in this particular scripture was not for "just anybody." It was for those who heard "The Call. It was for those who were to become the disciples then apostles of Christ. They were being invited to live day in and day out with the Master. They were being invited to have communication, witness service, learn love, ask questions, and get answers. Can you fathom a friendship without communication? |
| NO. |
| The truth is, if you don't communicate with someone then your friendship stays just were it is. Doesn't grow. In fact, can diminish. Are you living day in and day out with Jesus? Are you communing with Him as your friend? How many times have you talked with your friends today? or colleagues? How often have you spoken to the One you call LORD? Jesus was inviting friendship for a purpose. The purpose was Souls. He had souls on His mind, and it started with His disciples. |
| Jesus also said, "I no more call you servants, but friends, because a servant knows not what his master is doing, but a friend knows what his friend is about." You talk to your friends. You cultivate love, nurturing, and sharing ~ whereby you can both grow. Jesus was inviting the disciples to walk with Him to cultivate Himself in them, to become like Him. You know how your parents, and some of us (as parents) want our children to hang out with the "right" kinds of friends? Well, it is because we all know full well that we become what we spend time with. If you hang around with someone that speaks words like: "You don't have to love them" ~ "You don't have to forgive" ~ "You don't have to go to church" ~ "You don't have to believe to that extent", etc. . . Then you have received the seed of those words in your heart. Words effect you. Did you ever notice how health is NOT contagious? But, sickness is? If I hang around someone with the flu or an airborne disease long enough, I'll get it. Well, the same is true in the spiritual realm. Your Christianity, your goodness, your "right" living is not going to change someone, but they can corrupt you. Now, I am NOT saying that you cannot be an inspiration, an influence, or a light in a dark world as an ambassador for Christ. In fact, we all should be. However, I am saying that ~ taking Jesus up on His invitation ... calls us to leave "our nets." To leave our daily activities, and "come out from among them." Many of you know me well enough to know that I am not at all suggesting that we retreat from Soul Winning, Leading Souls to Christ, or bringing enlightenment to those who are dead or asleep. It is my number one thrust in service and has been since I was saved. However, I am saying, that as a disciple and friend of God, our invitation to "Follow" and commune with God is of the utmost importance. When I lost sight of this truth, trouble was waiting around the next corner for me. "Follow Me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." This is a sentence of cause and effect. You follow and the effect is: HE will make you to become fishers of men. You just can't escape it. If we follow Him, then He makes us to become fishers of men." Period. It is a sign of following. It is the effect of following. The fruit so to speak. Following isn't even a prerequisite or effect of salvation. I wish it were. Then everybody who claims to be saved would be fishing. Receiving salvation and following Jesus onto fishing men are two entirely different things. Not everybody that gets "saved" becomes a fisher of men. On the contrary, more saved people scare fish away then win 'em. I have been guilty in my own ignorance all too often. I want to be daring at least one time with every little "Tid Bit" I share, and today I challenge you with this . . . I don't think you nor I are a "Follower of Christ" if we are not (or at least in the making) of becoming Fishers of Men. (Ouch and yipee). I have been urged and encouraged by believers to "go get em." Yet today to say this, "YOU go get 'em!! Jesus is calling YOU to "follow." I'd like to keep the whispers of God short and to a point. (Yeah right) God told my heart that, "you can either receive salvation for yourself or you can receive salvation and cooperate with the work of My Cross by following. Listening for the leading of the Holy Spirit whenever you come across people. Oh--- that would mean everyday ... hummmm :) I have so often fallen short of this invitation to follow but I have found myself digging out the old fishing pole and tackle box again. I pondered this devotional for a moment, when the Lord gave me a picture in my mind that made my cheeks hurt from the smile it caused. I saw the fishing pole being laid down and a net coming up from front of the boat instead. I'll take the net over the pole any day. Gotta keep the pole handy though; for the tough fish hiding in the reeds or way down deep. The pole is for the real devoted fisherman. Gotta run now. God Bless, and thank you for your time. I leave tomorrow for a road trip with my son, Seth, and would ask for earnest prayers on his behalf. He is going through a season of great testing and growth. If ever a mother could covet anything more, it would be prayer on behalf of my son. Thank you. May the eyes of your understanding be enlightened as you reach for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. Love & Light Mary |
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