An activity that many people enjoy doing is fishing. Those who spend hours and days fishing know very well about the habits of the various species of fish. The fisherman knows well the conditions by which each species will be feeding, where, and what lures them. Many fish because they enjoy it and for a time of relaxation and to enjoy God’s creation, but then there are some that fish in order to make a living and provide the necessities of life to the family. While Jesus was on earth he evidently knew several fishermen because these were some of the people that he chose to be his disciples and apostles. Once Jesus told Peter and Andrew as they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). Jesus related the new spiritual work that they would have with the livelihood and these words indicate the value of humanity and the great responsibility that the saved have to seek for the lost. How can we be fishers of men?
We can be fishermen of men when we understand the seriousness of a person being lost. Sin has made a division between the person and God (Isaiah 59: 2), that person is destitute of God (Romans 3:23) and has no eternal hope. Sin destroys, but a fisher of men can bring salvation.
We can be fishers of men when we understand that we have the power to rescue the person in our hands and this is the Word of God. Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). The only solution for one that is lost is to come to the knowledge of the Word of God in order to understand what Christ has done. The fisher of men understands that need and seek to help others.
We can be fishers of men when we understand that God loves the lost and that Jesus went to the cross of Calvary to save everyone (John 3:16). The word of God or the gospel is powerful and brings about salvation and changes in one’s life (Romans 1:16). The understanding and obedience to the gospel means that one will be different from the world. The fisher of men understands that God loves all people even before the changes are brought about (Romans 5:8-9).
We can be fishers of men by taking time to talk with another person about their spiritual life and give that person the opportunity to study the Word of God. No one will obey the gospel without having studied what God has written about how to become a Christian (Acts 2:36-38). Sometimes the problem is that we understand the first three points, but we do not put into action talking to the lost. Jesus said, "Thus I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10). Be a fisher of men.