Fishers of Men

[Daily Devotional]

Fishers of Men 

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. Matt.
4: 19. 

When a crisis comes in the life of any soul, and you attempt to give counsel
or admonition, your words will have only the weight of influence for good
that your own example and spirit have gained for you. You must be good
before you can do good. You cannot exert an influence that will transform
others until your own heart has been humbled and refined and made tender by
the grace of Christ. When this change has been wrought in you, it will be as
natural for you to live to bless others as it is for the rosebush to yield
its fragrant bloom. 

He whose heart is filled with the grace of God and love for his perishing
fellow men will find opportunity, wherever he may be placed, to speak a word
in season to those who are weary. Christians are to work for their Master in
meekness and lowliness, holding fast to their integrity amid the noise and
bustle of life. 

We should strive to understand the weakness of others. We know little of the
heart trials of those who have been bound in chains of darkness and who lack
resolution and moral power. . . . 

We become too easily discouraged over the souls who do not at once respond
to our efforts. Never should we cease to labor for a soul while there is one
gleam of hope. Precious souls cost our self- sacrificing Redeemer too dear a
price to be lightly given up to the tempter's power. . . . Without a helping
hand many would never recover themselves, but by patient, persistent effort
they may be uplifted. Such need tender words, kind consideration, tangible
help. . . . Christ is able to uplift the most sinful and place them where
they will be acknowledged as children of God, joint heirs with Christ to the
immortal inheritance. By the miracle of divine grace many may be fitted for
lives of usefulness. 

>From God's Amazing Grace - Page 126