Fishers Of Men
Matthew 4 : 19

"Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" Matthew 4:19 - The Lord said to the Pharisees of His day, "Ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves" Matt. 23:15. This is the description of most evangelistic effort in our day. Men who do not believe in the sovereignty of God in salvation, and believe the number of the saved will be determined by their efforts, and who are trying to earn a greater reward in heaven by the number of their converts, go to great lengths to "win souls", and only succeed in making them "twofold more the child of hell" then themselves. Most evangelism that goes on in the name of Christ is a great evil.
But it is also a great evil, if our belief in the sovereignty of God makes us indifferent, or fatalistic at best with regard to the salvation of souls. Paul said that he could "wish himself accursed from Christ", if the Jews would be saved. He said, "I endure all things for the elect's sake." He said, "My hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved." Nobody believed in God's sovereignty in salvation more than Paul, and nobody had more love to lost men and more missionary zeal than Paul. The Lord said, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." If we are not fishers of men, then evidently we are not following Christ.
May we be delivered from a "proselyte" attitude of witnessing, that seeks to bring glory to our flesh. But may we also be delivered from a fatalistic attitude that keeps us from sacraficial and strenuous effort in preaching the gospel to our friends, family, and neighbors. One of the marks of being a follower of Christ is being a fisher of men. Remember, God always uses means. Perhaps you are the means He will use. Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38-39.