Do you want to follow the Lord's lead, to let Him change you and use you for His kingdom's purposes?
Read Mark 1:14–18
‘As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”’ (v17)
The first chapter of Mark reveals the calling of the very first disciples, including Simon and Andrew, two brothers.
Their call to be disciples was not a simple bolt-on to an already busy schedule but was to involve three clear aspects.
Firstly, they were called to change their life’s direction and follow Jesus (v17). Second, it would involve personal transformation, where Jesus would make them into something (v17). Thirdly, their focus would be God’s kingdom project, as they were called to ‘fish for people’ (v17).
This single verse in Mark chapter 1, neatly summarises what is to be our experience as followers of Christ today.
Our call to Christ is not simply a call to personal salvation, as wonderful as that is, but is a call to become a fully allegiant follower of King Jesus, our new Master.
This calling involves repentance, turning around from our own ways and direction, and turning to His.
Like Simon and Andrew, our calling will also involve transformation, allowing the Holy Spirit to do His work within us (Rom. 12:2).
Finally, it will involve become participants in His grand kingdom project, representing Christ as willing ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20).
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, thank You that You have saved me for a purpose: to follow You, to learn from You and to serve You. Amen.’
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Think about your day-to-day faith. Is your desire to follow the Lord’s lead, to allow Him to change you and use you for His kingdom purposes?
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Gen. 12:1–6; Exod. 3:1–14; Matt. 7:15–23; Acts 9:1–19
Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash
