What surrender looks like.

In my own strength

There are many times that we seek to get things done in our own strength. We may see a need, sometimes, a desperate need, to get things done. We may give it our full devotion, only to find ourselves coming up short.

The New King James Version Chapter 5

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

The questions we need to be asking ourselves are these: Will we be obedient to Christ, even when what He may suggest, may be the same things we have been trying all along? Will we submit to His Lordship…or will we continue on in our failed attempts to fix ourselves?

Something miraculous happens when Jesus steps on the scene!

The New King James Version Chapter 5

And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

There are many ways to respond to Jesus, when He comes into your life, but there is only one correct response, and Simon Peter shows us what that response is…

The New King James Version Chapter 5

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

Peter knew he was in the presence of Almighty God, and that he was not worthy of that. So his humble confession of sin, was also praise for the Son of God. This is the first step that is needed, in order for us to be saved.

This miracle was so powerful, that it also affected those around him.

The New King James Version Chapter 5

For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.

How does Jesus respond to Peter’s confession?

The New King James Version Chapter 5

And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”

Jesus responds in love for Simon Peter, calming his fears, drawing him to Himself, and speaking of what his new life will be like, in the Lord.

The Lord meets us where we are, but He never leaves us there. He always changes our hearts, and sets us apart for Himself.

The New King James Version Chapter 5

So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

This is one of the clearest pictures, in Scripture, of what salvation truly looks like. Simon Peter, in his moment of truth, humbled himself before the Lord, confessed his sin, and forsook all else, in order that he may follow Jesus.

This is the only acceptable response, if we are to become disciples of Christ. If we are to truly be saved, we must confess and repent of our sins, though they be many, and follow Jesus, forsaking all else, and trusting Him to change us into the men and women of God that he desires us to be.