The Gospel Net by M. E. P.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1873

The Gospel Net.

By M. E. P.

WHEN Jesus was walking by the sea, he saw Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishers. He said unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matt. 4:18, 20. Strange words! Perhaps they question, What does he mean by the words, fishers of men? Possibly Christ explains; but we only read, “They left their nets, and followed him.” The sacred record does not say they waited, or caviled, or queried, or doubted. No; but their simple faith was acted out by their leaving their nets and immediately following Jesus.

And Christ is even now saying these words to each of us. If we follow closely after our Lord and carefully heed his teachings, we shall see the power of God manifested, even as Peter afterward saw multitudes gathered into the church through the effectual preaching of the gospel.

But there is a fact in connection with this that all should give heed to. The Scriptures do not teach that all who are gathered into the gospel net shall finally be saved. “Many are called, but few are chosen,” and yet salvation is free for all; then why will not all be saved? Because all will not make the requisite effort. Many seem to look upon the promise of eternal life as though they only half believed, and half doubted. If they fully believed that all the conditions must be complied with, they would surely be more earnest and persevering. According to our faith will our actions be. If we are not willing to agonize with all the powers of our being to enter in at the strait gate, how can we expect to be among the few who will find it?

But says one, “I do not believe that God will destroy all his creatures except a certain few who think they have more light than others.” Nor does any one who possesses the true spirit of meekness so believe. But all will have sufficient light to enable them to discern between the right and the wrong path, and none will be left with good excuse for not obeying the truth they might have received.

In these latter days, new light has dawned upon the prophecies, and upon the revelation of Jesus Christ to St. John. The vision, as recorded in Dan. 2, 7 and 8, is made “plain upon tables, that he may run [or make haste] that readeth it.” Hab. 2:2. It has hitherto been as a sealed book, “which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I am not learned.” Isa. 29:11, 12.

Now these prophecies are unsealed; and will any dare to scorn the light so graciously given and yet hope, like the unbelieving Jews, to gain Heaven at last? Many have accepted, and profess to believe, present truth. Multitudes may be gathered into the gospel net. But these are the questions of greatest importance to be answered: Are we daily practicing self-denial? Do we strive earnestly to imitate our Pattern in all things? If so, let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. And may we follow Christ so closely that we may realize his power in defeating the works of Satan, and in accomplishing glorious things for those who are children of the light.

M. E. P.