When Peter first cast out his nets on Jesus' command, he showed obedience. Not perfect obedience, but he followed through, even though he probably grumbled a little. Had Peter been a perfect follower with grand faith, he would've simply declared 'Yes Lord!' and cast out his nets. But realistically ;) , he probably obeyed grudgingly. But the reward that followed is astonishing. His nets are filled and there is so much fish that two boats can't even contain it.
What I am gathering from this right off the bat is how transcendent and powerful God can work. Peter's obedience was not perfect. Mine is even further off. But God still uses and honors our imperfections, as long as we lay it down for Him.
Side Note:
Some days, people ask me why I love evangelism. They say if you are a Calvinist (I think I'm going to choose not to identify myself with that label. I simply submit to His almighty will. I am a Sovereign-ist), then why do you need to share the gospel? God willing, they will be saved, with or without you. Yes. But God has made it clear that this is the way he chooses for them to be saved. He can use any method or means he so chooses. Jesus could've made fish jump into Peter's boat, without Peter doing anything. But Jesus' command was to cast out the nets as the means to be fishermen. In the same way, to be fisher of men, evangelism is our command to cast out our nets.
These days I have been struggling with myself, sometimes doubting, sometimes ashamed. I should start by saying that I have never been a good man. I am utterly broken and useless. I am so sinful, so selfish and so human. Any good in me, any love, any patience, any grace, is Christ in me, showing His mercy.
And my GOODNESS; Christ is working powerfully in me. And I say that boasting only in his power; I confess I can do nothing. Nothing, without He who gives me strength, He who raises me up.
But these days, I look at myself, and my goodness, I am a prideful man; I am pleased with myself, I am self righteous and I am unforgiving. It's in these couple of days God has opened my eyes, to myself, to see how I am even more wicked and unclean than I knew. Either I have gradually been slowly falling away, or I can see even more holiness and in relation, I am much more undeserved than I ever knew.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"
I feel entirely like Peter; so dirty, so ashamed to be in the presence of Christ. I am ashamed that I, even in knowledge of grace, I continually to turn away, continue to fall short of this life of glorification that I have been called for. There are so many better than I. Why me, Lord? What humility you must have to love me, to choose me, to raise me up.
Peter is so ashamed. And so am I. Choose someone else, Lord; raise someone else up. I'm not worthy. I am not deserving. I am going to let you down. You deserve better than I.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men."
That is mind blowing! Wow! To me, this is the most powerful line; it is how Jesus responds to us, when we recognize our sinfulness, our lacking and our shame. Christ Jesus says, Christ Jesus commands Do not be afraid. Jesus is looking at Peter, looking at me saying, 'Yes, I am Holy and you are so broken. You have no right to be in my presence and that alone is enough justification for you to burn to cinder. But I!, Christ, loved you first, and have ransomed you and made you worthy. I!, have nullified your weakness! I!, have conquered the grave and overcome what you would never be able to, on your behalf.'That is love. That is grace. That is undeserved. Praise you Lord, that you remember me, in my lowly pits. But where I am weak, You are strong. The point is the power of Jesus, is it not? The point is the glory of Christ.
I am most broken, when God is most evident in blessing me in an undeserved way. It gives me such a humble brokeness, but at the same time, a humble joy, to which I have nothing to respond with but to obey. A true Christian's love to either God or men, is a humble and broken hearted love. Their hope is a humble joy, even when it is unspeakable and full of glory and leads the Christian more poor in spirit and more humble like a child. (Matthew 5:3-10)
Lord, thank you for revealing my pride to me. Thank you for bringing me to my knees again. Thank you for showing me how undeserved I am, but even moreso, thank you for reminding me that you have overcome that; that what you have called me to, You will raise me up for my good and for your glory. (1 Thes 5:25 (gosh I love this verse) )
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
-1 Timothy 1 : 12 - 17
HE is bigger, than I am small.
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