Weekend, January 27 & 28
Looking Back, Looking Forward: Peter
But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Acts 4:19-20
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During periods of history such as the Reformation and the Crusades, it was not unusual for some who professed to be true Christians to take this attitude when persecuted for their faith: "Recant now, repent later!" In other words, deny Christ today in order to save yourself—then ask God's forgiveness later.
Peter denied Christ when he was accused of being one of His disciples, but he didn't do it hypocritically. Yes, he feared for his life. But there is no evidence his perspective was so crass as to casually deny Jesus and then ask His forgiveness later. No, Peter was caught in an unplanned and unprepared for moment of sheer terror—one that would haunt him forever. But Jesus forgave Peter a few days after His resurrection and commissioned him to take care of His sheep (John 21:15-19). Looking back, Peter saw fear; looking forward, He saw faith. If you have failed Christ along the way, remember that He died to forgive the past and empower the future.
Failures forgiven become a formidable foundation for future faith.
I think that if God forgives us, we must forgive ourselves.
C. S. Lewis
Exodus 31:1 - 34:35 ; Exodus 35:1 - 37:29
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