Note: This is a guest post since presently I am teaching overseas. This is by Alan Kearns. His blog be found here.
The Lord’s Fishermen
But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Jude 20-21 (NASB)
In a recent study/meditation of Jude, and the verses offered in this post I found a simple description of how the child of God should conduct themselves – I like simple things! It does not present itself in a complicated multi-point direction, which suited me fine. It will not surprise some of you who know me that I was thrilled to be able to apply a nautical theme too, which I feel sheds some light on the message.
I see the child of God as a fisherman, albeit of the world rather than the shores of Galilee like the disciples. Fishing for lost souls is our calling as the crew of the Gospel boat; we bait our hooks and cast our nets into the waves praying for a good catch for our Captain, Jesus our Lord and Saviour.
In verse 20 the Captain calls us to “BUILD YOURSELVES UP ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH” for the journey; that we should have our foundation in Him and in the “Fisherman’s Manual” – the Word of God. No modern fisherman casts off his lines without having consulted his charts and confirmed that his radar is operational; the same is true of the child of God – he/she too has consulted their source of guidance.
Also in verse 20 is our second point, that the Lord’s crew should be “PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.”Every journey in life by a child of God, whether short or long, should be covered in holy prayer through the Holy Spirit. He is our life line from our Lord to the Father in Heaven, our destination on that fair shore. Reading His Word should always be suplimented by prayer in the Spirit; He shines the light of God’s wisdom upon the text we read and follow.
In the first two points we anchor ourselves in God’s love, providing His wisdom and direction. The next step (verse 21) is our hope; “WAITING ANXIOUSLY FOR THE MERCY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST TO ETERNAL LIFE.“ Remembering our lifelong fishing trip with our Captain, we look forward to coming ashore eventually to land our catch and to be rewarded for our efforts by our Captain. The whole business from our redemption to our going Home is achieved by God’s mercy bestowed upon us; we can claim no merit other than the loveliness of His choosing us.
Dear Reader, today in our text we have a simple three point plan for life as the Lord’s fishermen: 1. Build yourselves up in the Word of God, 2. Pray in the Spirit, and 3. Look forward to Heaven everyday. In following our Captain and the Word we will reach journey’s end some day to hear those lovely words “well done good and faithful servant.”
Thank you brother Jim for posting guest posts; I personally count it as an honour to work with you for our Lord.
I pray that our Father God will continue to guide, protect and bless you as you serve Him on mission. 🙏
Thanks for writing this guest post! This trip is a lot more tougher than other ones and longer too so I appreciate this guest post
Amen brother.
“The whole business from our redemption to our going Home is achieved by God’s mercy bestowed upon us; we can claim no merit other than the loveliness of His choosing us.”
Blessings.
Thank you brother Michael; you have a real talent for picking out what is often the best line in a post…which in this case encourages me immensely. I hope and pray that you are well and being blessed in His presence today 🙏
what a great thought
I love the ending
Thank you so much for reading and sharing your lovely comments. I am honoured and blessed if this wee post has been a blessing to you today.
Hi brother Alan! What a powerful post!
“Fishing for lost souls is our calling as the crew of the Gospel boat; we bait our hooks and cast our nets into the waves praying for a good catch for our Captain, Jesus our Lord and Saviour.”
We start in Him…in Christ Jesus our Lord. I was listening to something similar by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones while driving. He spoke about experiences various people had in prayer with the Lord whether it be a John Flavel, Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley, George Whitfield, DL Moody, etc. A bit of heaven on earth. Prayer is an integral part of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. You can also tell when someone is saying something versus someone who knows what they are saying. If they know the Master, there is power in it.
Dr James R White told a story about his Greek professor DC Martin. He had an illustration he always imparted to his students. On the right hand he held up his thumb (I.e. the individual). On the open left hand is Christ. The thumb moved into the left hand and the left hand wrapped around the right thumb. We are to be in Christ…in Him.
Your third point on heaven reminded me of a missionary to Turkey for over 25 years who ended up in prison for a couple of years. It was a very difficult time with many ups and downs. Focusing on Christ and heaven helped get him through the severe trial. I think it is something we as Christians don’t spend enough time pondering. Heaven.
God bless you brother Alan and 👀 forward to more of your study in the revelation of Jesus Christ! 😀✝️✝️✝️📖
Good morning brother Michael 😊
I look forward to reading your comments… they are as rich as any devotional post brother – thank you!
I never drive anywhere more than 40 minutes away, thus audio sermons generally don’t fit well in my car…but I wish they did. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is a great man of God and the Word, sadly forgotten by many today. I really love the thumb illustration…it is very effective indeed! The first of May is my next date for Revelation by the way. May our Father God continue to guide and bless you each day brother 🙏
Thanks for the good word. Something as simple as fishing captures the journey quite well, and you drew it out nicely. God bless
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement John 😊
May our Father God bless you today brother 🙏
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