God’s Catch and Release Program for Sinners
Ruth Ann Stites, Staff Writer
A full third of the core group of Jesus’ disciples—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—were fishermen. They were the first to be called, becoming the core of the 12 Disciples, and were to leave fishing for fish behind to start to “fish for people” instead (Matt. 4:18-20).
It seems appropriate to use a fishing analogy to make an important distinction between mercy and grace. That distinction rests in the difference between getting caught and being set free. When Messiah Jesus catches us, we are given entry into the family of God the Father (grace). Remember Pastor McCarty’s short definition of grace as the love of God. Following his logic we can put together the thoughts from these two passages below to see how God’s grace brings us into his family: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8) and “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1a). We have been caught by grace (Rom. 5:15-17), saved by grace(John 3:16), and we are included among his children by grace (Col. 1:9-14, especially verses 12-14).
Once caught, he releases us from the penalty of our sin, eternal separation from the Godhead (mercy). We are set free by his everlasting mercies: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions [mercy] never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). “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” (Gal. 5:1). Finally, consider Paul’s argument in Colossians 2. Here is a good summary of our freedom from this chapter in verses 6 and 7, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
So, Cross Disciple, know that you have been caught by grace and shown mercy. And the Master invites you to join in his happy band of fisherfolk set on catching and releasing as many sinners as possible!
(Photo credit: Emily Edster, Roaring River State Park, Missouri)
