Fisher of Men

From Ray Comfort’s book, World Religions in a Nutshell.

Let’s say I start a spiritual conversation and have a nibbling fish. He is arguing about bacteria, fossils, Zeus, Thor, and so-called biblical contradictions, and quoting Richard Dawkin’s hateful words. As he says God is a monster and Jesus was a liar, I quietly think to myself, “The Jerk.” Then, motivated by love, I deliberately take control of the conversation and jerk the Law into his rapidly moving jaw. I am a fisher of men, and I don’t want this man to be cast into the lake of fire. I don’t want him to be damned in Hell forever. I therefore don’t let the fish dictate where we are going.

I ask, “Do you think you are a good person?” He says he knows that he’s a good person (see Proverbs 20:6). I ask, “Do you think you have kept the Ten Commandments?” He says he doesn’t believe in them. I tell him that I wasn’t asking if he believed in them; I’m asking if he has kept them. I say, “Let’s go through some of them and see how you will do on Judgment Day.” He says he doesn’t believe in Judgment Day. So I say, “Let’s just suppose that there is one, and see how you will do. Have you ever told a lie? Have you ever stolen something?”

This is what Paul did in Romans 2:21–24. He said, “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal [Eighth Commandment]? You who say, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery [Seventh Commandment]? You who abhor idols [First and Second Commandments], do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you [Third Commandment],’ as it is written.’”

“Knowledge that God has appointed a Day in which He will judge the world in righteousness makes sinners see that it’s in their best interest to depart from sin.”

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This is also what Jesus did in Mark 10:18,19: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness, ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” He was using the Law to bring the knowledge of sin.

The only thing that will make a sin-loving sinner give up the battle is the fear of the Lord. Scripture says it is fear that will cause him to depart from evil (see Proverbs 16:6). If he doesn’t fear future punishment, he won’t depart from sin, and the way to produce the fear of the Lord is to do what Jesus did: point to the Law. It’s to do what Paul did: point to the Law. The sinner must be made to tremble (see Acts 24:25). Jerk the hook into the jaw, and do it quickly.

Knowledge that God has appointed a Day in which He will judge the world in righteousness makes sinners see that it’s in their best interest to depart from sin. But, if I may say so, we depart somewhat unwillingly. Fleeing from wrath doesn’t produce contrition (sorrow for sin). Seeing the cross in all its horror does. Knowing that I am a lawbreaker, and that there are terrible consequences for my actions, makes me fear. But seeing Almighty God pay my fine in the life’s blood of His precious Son brings me sorrow. It breaks my hard heart. The Law produces terror. The cross produces contrition. Without the Law that cruel cross has little meaning. The greater I see my sin in the light of God’s Law (see Romans 7:13), the greater I will understand and appreciate the mercy shown to me at Calvary’s cross.

So, use good apologetics. Fish with the best bait you can find. Then carefully hide the hook, and as soon as the fish nibbles, jerk the line—swing to the Law. Don’t wait. Do it quickly. Don’t let the sinner shield his conscience for an other precious minute. He may not have that long.

My ministry partner, Kirk Cameron, found himself on a plane from Los Angeles to Colorado. Shortly after the flight began, he heard an announcement from the captain saying that the landing gear hadn’t retracted correctly, so they were turning back to LAX. The captain soberly told everyone to familiarize themselves with the emergency procedure, and then he asked marshals and military personnel on board to man the emergency exits. This was serious.

Kirk decided that he had better witness to the people sitting next to him. He told them that it was at times like this that it was a good idea to make sure you are right with God. He then took them through the Ten Commandments and shared the good news of the cross.

As they approached the landing, the captain said, “Brace! Brace! Brace!” and the flight attendant kept saying every 60 seconds, “Head down! Head down!” It was extremely traumatic. Kirk said that as they approached the ground, all he could think of was his wife and six children.

Fortunately, the actual landing was without incident. Here’s the point. Kirk said that when he spoke to those who sat next to him, he didn’t talk to them about the age of the earth or evolution. He knew that there was an extreme urgency for him to address their conscience and talk about the awkward issues of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Everyone is currently in emergency mode. Death could snatch them into eternity in a heartbeat. So, take courage for their sake, and cut to the chase.

This testimony can be found in the book World Religions in a Nutshell.