Divine Bait

Some guys at work like to talk about fishing. (These are conversations that I listen in on without any participation as I haven't a clue when it comes to fishing.) They talk about all different kinds of things: when is the best time to fish, where is the best place to fish, which rod is the best to use when and where.

One thing I like to hear them talk about is the bait. (Odd, since I never would bait a hook the one time I did fish.) They say that different bait brings different catch. Some fish are attracted to this type and some to another.

When it comes to our salvation, its not much different. We as "fishers of men" are to use the best bait when seeking to lead men to salvation: Christ's infinite mercy.

We are to dangle that sweet thing before the eyes of sinners. For when men apprehend the mercy of Christ they will be more likely to fly to him and embrace him than when gimmicks are used, hype is stoked, or vain promises are made.

Of course, the wrath of God must also be laid before these poor souls too. We politically tamed Christians don't like to touch on such subjects, but to ignore or neglect the wrath of God is to lie to the unbeliever and put him at false ease.

Moreover, if the terror of God is not preached, the mercy of God will not entice the sinner yo repent. Who needs a refuge, if there is no storm on the horizon?

I know that there are some who say to the unbeliever when they witness to them, "Jesus loves you." But this is the wrong kind of bait. It does not stir the heart to repent. I believe it actually does the opposite: It settles them in their sin. It goes like this, "Why leave this comfy lifestyle if Jesus loves me?"

But listen to the prophet Joel,

"Even now," declares the Lord, "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; And rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."

He mentions God's love. But it is a far cry from "Hey, dude. Jesus loves you."

What is so powerful here is the mercy of God. It is like he opens his arms to whoever would turn in to them. Despite the fact that you have run away and deserve to have the door of heaven slammed in your face, he keeps it open to anyone who would come back with a penitent heart.

O Friends, let us go fishing, but let us fish with the proper bait.