Rules for Fishing

In Luke Chapter 5, Jesus gives Simon and the Disciples a lesson in preaching a sermon. They pushed a boat out from the bank a little so that the people on the bank could clearly hear what Jesus had to say. At the conclusion of the sermon however he expects a lot from His tired and weary Disciples: "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught."


Our job as Christians is not to sit on a pew on Sundays and listen to a good example of preaching. We are to "Launch out into deep water", "let down our own nets", and even if we are tired we must row our boat and drag our net deep into the sea of the lost and dying. Our obligation as Christians is to Love the world enough to preach the word to "every Creature" even if that means we must subject ourselves to ridicule, get outside the box, yes even preach on a street corner if need be. Wherever, whoever, whenever, no matter whatever, "be instant in season and out".


I must repeat the word Obligation. I am often asked, or rather rudely told, take your preaching to the Church where it belongs. That may be the tolerant thing to do, but I have never found the word tolerant in Scripture. I reply that the greatest form of Love is to pull a brother out of sin's grasp and set him or her on the narrow path to Heaven. To leave them on that wide road to destruction may allow them to make their own free choice, but as a Christian, and knowing that their choice is bad, it would be an extreme form of hate to allow them to go on their way without warning them of their awaiting fate. after all we have a wonderful Free Gift of Salvation to share. The gospel is not just good news, it is The Greatest News Ever Told.


So what are the rules for fishing? Really there are two options. They are found in the little book of Jude.


"And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
Jude 1:22-23 (KJV)


The first option is to be compassionate, make friends, be patient, be nice, show care and love, and lead that person gently into the Saving Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The people this option works for are at least somewhat open to the discussion of Salvation. So one can invite these folks to Sunday School, take them a cherry pie, and share the Gospel.

The second option actually has no rules. This option is for those barreling down the road to hell as hard and fast as they can spiral. Atheists, the rebellious, the party animals, those angry at religion or anything that smells of it to them. These people don't want to hear, don't want to see, don't want any advice much less that of a "Bible Thumper". They want to be left alone. They often believe they have a good knowledge of the Bible. They have a few pet "contradictions" and old testament laws they think are foolish and they are sure only Hypocrites attend church.


Jude here gives us permission to save these folks "with fear". We have permission, nay obligation, to shock them, get their attention, invade their space, be intolerant of their false beliefs, and forcibly "pull them out of the fire", or Hell where they are headed. We are to hate their sin but Love them enough to show them why. The word garment refers to the lifestyle they are living. That lifestyle is spotted by sin. It is disgusting, filthy, nasty, defiled and stinking of this world and the fleshly desires and lusts that go along with the love of the world. They can't see it, they can't smell the rotting dying flesh and the filthy garment they are wearing. It is our job to shock them into seeing where they are going and "pull them out of the flame". By all means try compassion first and thoroughly before you grab hold and pull, but when the Holy Spirit shows you it is time to pull, grab on, hold on, and pull for all you are worth. A living soul's eternal future is in the balance.