Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. [Matthew 4:19-20 (NLT)]
Jesus compared evangelism to fishing and a good fisherman knows with what to bait his hook, where to throw in the nets or line, and how to bring in his catch. Jesus didn’t have to beg or force anyone to follow him. His message, demeanor, compassion, wisdom, miracles, truth, and love were what netted followers. Although He practiced what he preached, I’m not so sure His followers do so today. In yesterday’s message, I wrote about hypocrites. Jesus had some harsh words about the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, but religious hypocrisy didn’t end in 1st century Judea. The hypocrisy found in Christ’s church and His followers is one of the most common roadblocks to evangelism and objections to Christianity.
When confronted with this objection, evangelist D. James Kennedy responds, “Well, there’s always room for one more.” He cautions people that, if they find a perfect church, they probably shouldn’t join it since they would ruin it! Indeed, we all struggle with some measure of hypocrisy. Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean our struggles and temptations disappear or that we’ll never grow impatient, lose our temper, or have doubts. Conversion doesn’t come with a magic wand of perfection—we all are works in progress and, sometimes, we fail! Nevertheless, there is a difference between being honest sinners trying to become more like Christ and hypocrites who deny their flaws and failures!
Fortunately, the validity of Christianity doesn’t depend on the good behavior of Christ’s followers; it depends on the truth of Jesus Christ—His death, resurrection and ascension! Nevertheless, while the truth of Christianity doesn’t hinge on our behavior, the expansion of God’s Kingdom does. I’m the first to admit that my actions often don’t match my words and there frequently is a shortage of spiritual fruit in my orchard. But, when our behavior doesn’t reflect our God, we don’t make very good fishermen.
Whenever we profess to love but have no compassion, claim to forgive but hold a grudge, speak of generosity but won’t open our wallets, give lip service to helping others but never serve, or speak of peace when being vindictive, we’re driving away rather than catching followers. Jesus gave His disciples the command to fish for men and grow His Kingdom. It’s not easy to do that when our nets have the holes of hypocrisy or our bait is tainted and false.
The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. [Brennan Manning]
