Casting Love

    On the third day following Jesus’ death on the crucifixion cross, and having his body laid in an unused tomb, Christ raised himself from the grave. His divinity glorified through His power over death and His resurrected body. Jesus thus inspired and empowered His disciples to life lasting fervent service and devotion. The day our LORD ascended into heaven, He assigned His followers the awesome work until His glorious return; go into the whole world and preach the gospel to all creation. This commission a call to love.  In other words, as love for the world was demonstrated by Jesus through His ministry of healing, restoration and reconciliation with God, the Church is established for the purpose of furthering Christ’s cause; to save the world and not condemn it, (John 3:16-17). An established ministry…to be fishers of men.

     Statistically it is reported that each week somewhere in the world a church closes its doors. In America, 3500 — 4000 churches close their doors each year. (from the Barna Study -- www.barna.org)This tragic reality testifies that collectively as the Body of Christ we are either casting in our own strength, seeking our own glory or our nets are in desperate need of mending. Regardless of why our nets are proving weak in the world, there is hope in the One who calls us to this ministry of expanding the Kingdom. For though like Simon we are all sinners, when we turn to the Teacher in humble submission and repentance, He will work His will in and through us.

     Consider how Jesus instructed Simon to cast his net in the deep water. Simon obeyed the LORD’S direction and then experienced the greatest catch of his fisher of fish life. A catch so great it threatened to tear nets as well sink Simon and his partner’s boats. The response of Simon is noteworthy. Upon seeing the power of God displayed, Simon gave the glory for the catch to the LORD. Upon pulling in the nets, Simon dropped before Jesus and confessed his sin to One who could transform him.

     This story illustrates a few key points. First, we need to cast the gospel of our LORD and Savior in the power and Spirit of Jesus. If we cast in our own strength and without His direction, we cast in vain. Recall Simon’s response to the LORD’S instruction to cast out in deep water;

            “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so,
              I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:5NIV).

     Simon’s submission to the LORD’S instructions rendered an astounding catch. In the same way, when we cast in the power of Jesus there should be an increase of believers for the kingdom.  The work of the Spirit should be awesome and undeniably a display of God’s power. Second, believers should never take the credit for the work of the Holy Spirit. The power of God displayed through our service should always remind believers of our own dependency on God's grace and mercy. Third, we need to cast nets of love into the world. Nets of condemnation and judgment are not built by the Spirit of Christ and will frighten away any God sized catch.

     But what are nets of love? The fruit of the Spirit manifested in the believer’s life shared with the world around them: kindness, goodness, faithfulness, patience, gentleness, peace, joy, self-control, and love. These attributes displayed by Christians in days of blessing as well as in days of sorrow are luring to a world which is full of immorality, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, impurity and debauchery.

     When Christians practice casting the cares of this world at the feet of Jesus-- trusting His love to see them through--their lives become something attractive.  Like a fishing lure in the water, the Light of the Son in their lives catches the eyes of the spiritually hungry. Likewise, a believer’s testimony of Jesus drawing them out the cesspool of sin, cleansing them and transplanting them to a pure stream of Living Water puts off a tempting aroma. The peaceful connection the believer has with the LORD is impacting to others and in God’s timing penetrates other spirits. It is Jesus who by the work of His Holy Spirit sets the hook into a man’s soul…but He intends His Church to catch the eye of the world that He may draw them near.  


Tracy Frazier
Founder/Director
The FOLD: Fellowship Opportunity for Ladies Discipleship

For further insight and contemplation the following links are provided;

Video: Life Church TV: Christine Caine/Be in The World Not of It

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2o-Sis8f5w

Music Video: For King & Country/"The Proof of Your Love"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-2dKOfbC9c