The Call- Matthew 4:19 ESV

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus began His earthly ministry by calling Simon (Peter) and Andrew, his brother, and James, and his brother, John. These 4 men were fishermen by trade. Jesus was calling them to a new life, a new type of fishing. These 4 men immediately left their boats and followed Jesus. They became 4 of the 12 men Jesus made apostles.

God extends the same call to us today. God orchestrates events in our lives that will lead to us having the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel message. When we respond positively, as Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John did, He saves us and gives us a new life as well. Our priorities change.

We become children of God, our sins are forgiven, (past, present, and future), and we have hope, whereas without God we had no hope (Ephesians 2:12). We also, upon receiving Christ and being saved, receive the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit bestows spiritual gifts to the believer for the edification of the church. The apostles, who Jesus called by name, took their new life seriously. They followed Him for three years and became the father’s of the early church after Christ’s resurrection.

They continued to spread the gospel, and many of them paid with their lives. You and I may not be asked to give up our lives for Christ, but we are commanded to exercise the spiritual gift(s) we have been given.

If you are a Christian, discover the gift you have been given and use it to the glory of God. If you are not a Christian, if God extends the call to you, you need to listen to the message and respond to it by receiving Christ as your Savior.