January 8, 2008

 

And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

 

--Mark 1:17

 

To live like true disciples of Jesus Christ, you and I must do three things.

 

Just like the first disciples of Jesus, we must believe. To believe in the words and promises of Jesus… to believe that the Father hears when you pray to Him… to believe that He can use you to share the gospel with others.

 

You don’t have to be qualified in any way. Just believe with simple faith like a child!

 

The second thing that distinguishes a true disciple of Jesus is obedience. By laying down your own agenda and following the ways and instructions of Jesus, you are living as a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

 

But the ultimate aim of a disciple, of course, is to become a witness for Jesus.

 

I think a lot of Christians read today’s verse and think, “That’s great for the disciples, but this doesn’t really apply to me.” And as a result, sharing the Good News about Jesus Christ isn’t a priority for many followers of Christ. For some reason, evangelism has become something separate from their personal relationship with God!

 

And what about you? Is sharing the gospel with others a priority in your life? If not, why not? Are you afraid to speak about your faith? Do you feel ill-equipped?

 

There are many reasons why believers shy away from sharing their faith. But let me encourage you today… the more time you spend in the presence of Jesus, the more you will want to tell others about Him.

 

And if you still struggle with fear about sharing your faith, ask Him to help you. He has promised to “make you become a fisher of men.” So allow Him to work in this area of your life, and you will be amazed how He will use you to reach others with the gospel!

 

the more time you spend in the presence of Jesus, the more you will want to tell others about Him.