First, CATCH The Fish!

Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."  (Matthew 4:19). Let all things be done decently and in order.  (1 Corinthians 14:40). 

                                 

Unfortunately, in some places in Christiandom (thankfully not all), there are man-ordained requirements or expectations that are put on how people should look and be in order to come to the Lord (literally and spiritually).   Some expect that a person should "clean themselves up" before coming to the Lord/altar.   They are referring to being "appropraitely dressed" (outward appearance) or to stop sinful behavior first before coming to the altar. This is not Biblical.

                                                      

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.  Revelations 22:17 (NKJV)

*But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.  For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.  (1 Samuel 16:7) 

Jesus didn't impose these stipulations on the woman caught in adultery (John 8) nor of the woman at the well (John 4).  The spiritual "cleanup" is an inside job and falls under the office of the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to clean a "fish" before it is caught.  That is out of order both naturally and spiritually.                         

Let's not complicate things for anyone wanting to give their lives to the Lord.  Let's get to "fishing"!  

Blessings.

~CWP~

*The emphasis is mine.