There is a difference between 1) legalism and trying to be good in your flesh and 2) obedience- in the power of God and His Holy Spirit- just because He asks.
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch. Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets. When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.” Luke 5:4-7
The results this time: the total opposite of failure! In fact, too much success for them to handle all alone. (And notice here that they needed help, asked for help, and received help. That could be a whole other lesson right there about our need for the community of believers in the successes of life as well as the hardships. We can’t live this Christian life all alone.)
v. 8 “But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.”
Look at his response: Peter didn’t say, “Wow, I am such a great fisherman. I didn’t realize that I could be this good.” (as we are tempted to do in this flesh when things go well) No, he said, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’
Peter obeyed and witnessed Jesus work a miracle in Peter’s own profession (Peter knows ‘fishing’). Then he responds in humility of mind, acknowledging that it’s all Christ’s handiwork. Peter confesses himself as he truly is, a sinful man, and Jesus as Lord.
Jesus’ response to Simon’s words: “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” Jesus puts His finger on the outpouring emotion and says, “Do not fear!!”
How many of us need to hear those very words for ourselves, and right now He’s there saying them if we would take the time, from our worrying and fear and running away, to listen and let Him whisper, “Do not fear. I will never leave or forsake you.”
"for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5b,6 Amplified
Final response/result of this whole scene: v.11
“And when they had brought their boats to land,
they left everything and followed Him.”
they left everything and followed Him.”
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Think of what that step of obedience unleashed in their lives and how it changed them forever. We just never know. Let this be a reminder to obey Him in even the most seemingly insignificant requests.
Was this a worthless obedience?.....
to “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”? Luke 5:4
Is there ever a ‘worthless obedience’?
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