Nets or Lures?

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Matt 4:19

If disciples of Jesus are to be fishers of men, how ought we go about fishing. I can imagine that near my justification, a voice said in heaven "That side is yielding nothing, cast your nets on the right side of the boat." (ref Jn 21:6) Soon thereafter I was caught in the net and drawn in.

If we are to fish with a "net" then I would say the net is the proclamation of the Gospel. For it is the power of God unto salvation. God's net takes no initiative of the fish. They are simply "drawn" (John 6:44) in by this net...irresistibly shall we say.

Much of today's evangelism uses the unbiblical approach of dangling lures. The only problem is these lures don't have any hooks. Allow me to present some examples:

"Come to Jesus because our church doesn't really mention sin, is entertaining and relaxed. Our youth group is more fun than Six Flags"------No hooks--- Matthew 13 speaks of people who hear the word of the kingdom but don't understand it...the seed is snatched away by the birds.

"Come to Jesus because you will receive health, prosperity and an improved self image." -----no hook ---- Matthew 13 speaks of people who hear the word but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke it.

"Come to Jesus as we don't bother with doctrine, but we simply love the Lord and worship with good music." ---- no hook --- Matthew 13 speaks of people who hear the word, receive it with joy, but have no root, so when trials and tribulations come they stumble.

Rather than having fish swim around with "hookless" lures which will eventually be spit out, God's method is the net or hook of His effectual call. One may say "You can't get any fish that way". The scriptures present God's sovereignty differently. God can have a ministry overflowing with fish at His word (Luke 5:6-8) or God can send one fish with a piece of money in its mouth. (Matt 7:27)

Lets us throw the "net" everywhere and often. God will bring His own to respond.