In His Name Devotionals
SOUL-WINNING
In His Name Devotionals
SOUL-WINNING
“And Jesus said to Simon, Do not be afraid. From now on you on you will catch men.” (Luke 5:10)
It is for life, not death that men are taken by the Gospel fishermen. God wants live men. Two great fishing principles stand out in the record of Christ’s winning disciples and ignoring these principles in practice is a common cause of failure.
To put them in fishing terms, they are: 1. The use of bait; and
2. The choice of bait that will appeal to the fish. The best human bait in the world is honest, sincere commendation. The surest way to drive men from us is to condemn and/or criticize.
It is wonderful how little fault Jesus found with His imperfect disciples. His first word to Simon was to tell him that he could be, and Jesus expected him to become, Peter. Setting His disciples to do something was a compliment. And working together always draws people together.
There are two methods of fishing—one by the net, catching fish in large masses; the other by the line, catching them one by one. Jesus used both methods: personal work, and great enthusiastic meetings.
A fisherman has three basic rules for catching trout. The first is ‘keep thyself out of sight,’ the second is ‘keep yourself farther out of sight;’ and the third is ‘keep yourself farther still out of sight.’ Experience in Christian work confirms these basic rules. It is necessary for the workers’ own inward power; it is necessary in its power of influencing others. The successful, spiritual Christian is like an engine hidden in the depths of the vessel that makes the ship go; always letting others sit on the bowsprit, waving the flag.
The net or the line is useless without a person behind it. Even the printed word is comparatively weak without the living presence of one filled with its spirit. Personal power of character is the most powerful influence upon the souls of others. It is soul that inspires soul.
Four men who were:
Chosen by the Master
To hear what He says
To see what He does
To learn what He is
Sent Forth by the Master
With a message
With a program
With a personality
