October 24, 2021
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:18-19
The similarities between the divine selection of human instruments for planting the New Testament church and, later, for the reformation of the corrupted church are strong parallels. Our Lord Jesus bypassed the “great men” who possessed titles, prestige, and fashionable education. Instead, He called together a humble collection of poor fishermen and “misfits” for the instrumentation of His church-planting plan. Jesus knew that those who were accustomed to the praise of men were less likely to be molded by the lowly Teacher from Nazareth. In choosing for His closest disciples those outside the “circle of elites,” He was choosing ordinary people who had been the least influenced by the false teachings of the day. This is not to say that they were completely isolated from all false teachings of their time. They were to overcome them simply through getting to know the character of Jesus.
Nevertheless, even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. John 12:42-43
By the study of His Word, we gain a vision of what God would have us to become. Beloved, do not become discouraged over the “great distance” between that vision and your current reality. Instead, be thankful that you have seen it! Focus on Jesus and allow His Spirit to enact character transformation. Are you willing to be battered in the process? Do you shrink from the idea? Whether or not the vision of what you can become is made into reality depends on you, in the sense that His Spirit works in you to “drive out” those character traits that do not belong only if you allow Him to do so! Your confidence must not ever be in yourself, but fully in Him who has the power to work in you. Never lose your focus on Jesus!
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:35-39