Gone Fishing

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

“Papa! Help me!” I screamed. When I was about 4 or 5 years old my grandfather made me catch my first fish. That’s right, I said “made.” He had taken me fishing since I was able to stand and had helped me catch many, many fish but this was the first time he wouldn’t help me. The fish on my line was so large that it was about to pull me in! As I cried for help he just laughed and said, “You can do it.” Finally, the fish was subdued. I was the champion. That was the biggest 2 pound fish I ever caught!

The Bible says that when God forgives our sins He sends them to the bottom of the ocean.

Micah 7:19 - You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

We shouldn’t be fishing them back out. We are called to be fishers of men, not fishers of sin. Stop punishing yourself and/or others for past sins. You may have a difficult time accepting God’s forgiveness because what you have done was especially shameful or detrimental to yourself and others. There may be constant reminders like consequences, negative thoughts or the reproach of others. Here’s what God says about that: if you are in Christ Jesus, there is now no condemnation for you. None. Listen to some of the terms used by God to describe you now: free, glorified, delivered, and loved by God.

All of these apply to you… and to other brothers and sisters in Christ. Not only do you need to trust in God’s forgiveness for yourself, but also for them. Jesus shed His blood to pay for their sins and we need to accept that, honor that and set them free just like He did.

Galatians 5:1 – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

We need to uplift one another, encourage one another! The Bible says that our love for each other will be one of the things that attracts the lost to Christ. Isn’t that great? When Jesus called us to be fishers of men that’s the bait He wanted us to use – LOVE. If you feel a tug on your line and it’s something bad from your past just tell that stinky old fish what God says about you now and you’ll have that sucker for dinner! And if it’s about someone else, you need to throw that fish back in the sea and never reel it in again. Give that person a hug and tell them you love them and appreciate them. You’ll be amazed at the healing power that comes from forgiveness.

God’s favor and blessings to you my brother or sister – you are free! Now, what’s for dinner? Fish???