LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught (Luke 5:4, eph. mine gb). Jesus had just finished giving a discourse to the people from Peter’s ship when he gave this command to Peter. In this command Jesus was speaking of catching physical fish and testing the faith of Peter and his companions. In verse six Peter says they had just fished all night without catching any fish. Jesus at the close of this event tells them they will hereafter be fishers of men.

Someone may ask, what has this to do with us today? I want to use this event and Jesus' instruction for them to “launch out into the deep” to help teach us a much needed spiritual lesson - that of giving full commitment to Christ and putting our complete faith and trust in Him. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) (2 Cor. 5:7). I am afraid that many members of the church today are walking far more by sight that we are by faith. We are still in very shallow water. We are still where we can wade and touch bottom. We haven’t ventured out in the deep water where we cannot see, but have to trust God and His word. One of many evidences of this is that we are not being fishers of men.

Launching out into the deep requires a complete faith and trust in God, Jesus Christ and God’s promises found in His word. Do we truly believe we have been forgiven? Why, then are so many still shackled to the past? Do we truly believe that in Christ we are new creatures (a new creation) (John 3:3-5, 2Cor. 5:17)? Why, then are many still living tied to the world? Are we afraid of the deep? While we are not saved by faith alone, we are saved by faith (Rom. 5:1). We are saved by faith in Christ as the only begotten Son of God, not by faith in ourselves or anyone or any thing in this world. If we like Peter had fished all night and caught nothing, would we have the faith to say, nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net (Luke 5:5)?

Launching out into the deep spiritually requires a strong conviction of truth and practice? Do we have the conviction that there is a way that is right and cannot be wrong? If we believe there is such a way, do we have the conviction that we have that way and that we are practicing / can practice it in the church today? Do we have the conviction to teach and defend that way (2Tim. 2:2, Jude 3, 1 Pet. 3:15)? Do we truly believe that the Bible is God’s inspired word (2 Tim. 3:16-17)? What are our convictions about the New Testament church, its worship and way of life? Conviction comes from a knowledge of the word of God. Knowledge comes from a committed study of the word ( 2 Tim. 2:15).

Launching out into the deep requires a commitment to put our faith and conviction into action! Do we have the commitment to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33)? Are we putting the Lord’s church first in our lives by commitment or by convenience? Are we seeking (living) God’s righteousness because of commitment to Him or when it’s convenient for us? Do we have a commitment to God’s will of modest dress or to the reign of worldly fashion? Do we have a commitment to sober, righteous, and godly living always (Titus 2:12)or a convenience to act like the people we are with and the place where we are? Do we have a commitment to share the truth of God’s word with the lost popular or unpopular, or a commitment to not offend the sinner?

Launching out into the deep requires loving God above everything (Matt. 22:35-40). Do we truly love God more than the world (1 John 2:14-17)? Do we love God strongly enough to let go of the world and its allurements (James 4:4)? Remember the words of Paul in Galatians 5:6, For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Jesus says in John 14:15, If ye love me, keep my commandments. Do we have the faith, conviction, commitment and love to truly say to God, “not my will, but thine be done?” Have you launched out into the deep, or are you still standing in the shallows?