Gospel

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Luke 5:8 But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Luke 5:10 “And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!”

I have always been awe struck when I come to these to separate passages of scripture. Simon Peter was confronted with a Teacher or Rabbi that was not like all the others in Jerusalem. Simon beheld the purity, holiness, and power of this Rabbi and knew that He was more than just another Rabbi. He fell to his knees and acknowledged that he was not worthy to even be in the presence of this Man. Then with great compassion Christ told Peter what He has told all of us and that is “You will catch Men.”

How do we know when we have truly caught men? I personally have witnessed the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to hundreds of people since my conversion. Many would listen but still they were combative. I have had many occasions to follow up my first witness with people several more times. I have yet to have any person say they would like to receive Christ as their own personal Lord and Savior.

I use the Ten Commandments in my witness to people to bring the knowledge of sin to their hearts. I remember witnessing to a person who said they were agnostic and after going through the commandments and presenting the gospel, I finally asked them where they believed their conscience came from that tells them every time they think or do wrong. The person was speechless yet still walked away with no desire for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I spoke to a person (during lunch) at the first Christian Writers Conference that I've attended and they told me that they served as missionaries in a certain part of the Philippines for almost 45 years and never witnessed one person convert to Christ. I watched a television show about some missionaries in France who have been there for 20 years or better and had only one or two people converted to Christ. How do we explain these stories? We know from Scripture that God the Holy Spirit worked mightily through Simon Peter to convert men from darkness to the marvelous light that is Christ. Three thousand on the Day of Pentecost.

We witness the Evangelistic meetings today by Pastor Binni Hinn and Pastor Rienhart Bonnke and see thousands of people seemingly accepting Christ. Are these true conversions that will last or are many not truly converted? 2 Tim 2:19 But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. I know that our Lord told us in the parable of the sower that only one out of four would truly have a heart prepared for the gospel truth. What is your opinion? Do you feel that many people are not truly converted?

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author, Silent Assassins of the Soul (not yet published; coming soon)

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