For We Which Live Are Alway Delivered Unto Death For Jesus' Sake, That the Life Also Of Jesus Might Be Made Manifest In Our Mortal Flesh - Part 1851

"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (II Corinthians 3:1-18)

Throughout the ministry of Jesus on earth, we see the people pressing upon Him to hear the Word of God. In one place, Jesus stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake, but the fishermen were gone out of them to wash nets. Jesus enters into Simon's ship and prayed him that he would thrust a little from the land. Therein, Jesus sat down and taught the people out of the ship. Now when He had stopped speaking, Jesus said unto Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nests for a draught."

But Simon said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken notion; nevertheless, at Thy Word I will let down the net." (Luke 5:1-5)

How many of us would have stopped there, telling Jesus that we have already tried, but to no avail? Sadly, too many of us stop just short of the miracle. We put our hand to the plow in anticipation of the blessing, but when we don't right away receive, we turn away. Thankfully, this example of Simon should teach us to remain steadfast in the work that we are performing for the Lord.

That is, when Simon went out and dropped the nets, "they inclosed [caught] a great multitude of fishes; and their net break." So much so, that the had to beckon unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all they that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken.

I am sure it must have been quite the sight. With Simon was also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. But Jesus said unto Simon, "Fear not; from henceforth thou shall catch men." And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all and followed Jesus." (Luke 5:9-11)

Each and every one of us has been called from that "someplace" wherein we toil in the things of this earth, but to no avail. And sometimes, like Simon, we consider that moment to be an ideal time to wash our nets. But Jesus has a higher purpose for those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. His purpose having been placed in our heart whilst we were still in our mother's womb. However, like Simon, we need to respond to Jesus' call. We need to lift the Name of the Lord Jesus in everything we do (in both word and deed) so that He can be our sustenance and life.

Therefore, as apostle Paul points out, "seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost; in whom the god of their world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them ... for we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake ..

For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (III Corinthians 4:1-6)

This is why we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. And as a consequence, we need to step into the leading and instruction of the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the Lord Jesus within us.

Stand in the offering plate.