Laying Down Your Nets

"While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he [Jesus] saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." - Matthew 4:18-22

I was just talking with someone about their sense that God was calling them to leave their secular life and follow a new path - one that God had planned for them. I was reminded of Peter, Andrew, James and John. Jesus called them and they immediately left what they knew and followed Jesus by faith.

That is really what every Christian is called to do. Not all of us quit our jobs - although some of do. But all of us are to abandon our devotion to the natural things and live a new life with new priorities and new devotions. Called to abandon the old and embrace the new without hesitation. 

That decision is radical and should be immediate, but often is not. But not everyone follows Peter, Andrew, James and John's example. They are more like the man that Jesus talked to later about following Him.

"Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”" - Matthew 8:21-22

We don't know if that man's father was actually dead or he merely wanted to wait until his father died before he made the commitment followed Jesus. 

"Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:25-27

That is hate in terms of comparison of devotion. Love God first, with your complete devotion, and then others - including family. Remember James and John left their boat (means of livelihood) and their father to follow Jesus. There are aspects to our former lives that we struggle to lay down. It requires faith to do what God asks us to do - not determination. To do spiritual things you need spiritual help. 

What are you still clinging to? What have you refused to lay down that has prevented you from being totally devoted to God. What are you unwilling to lay down to follow Jesus?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone