Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven lifted up his voice, and said unto them, you men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you and hearken to my words.
Peter, filled with the boldness of the Holy Spirit, stood up and gave what would be the inaugural Sermon of the First Church and he gave it to thousands of unbelieving, self-righteous, religious hypocrites in their Temple on their Feast Day! Imagine that!
Before we get into Peter’s Message, we must not overlook the fact that just days earlier, Peter publicly denied Jesus; not just once, but three times! Yes, this is the same Peter. Jesus predicted this would happen. Luke recorded what was said that day. And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” But he said to Him, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” Then He said, I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me.” (Luke 22:31-34)
The point I want to make today is that when Satan attacked Peter, he succumbed to the attack and denied Christ publicly. Jesus had told him this was going to happen and yet, he still fell for the lie of the enemy. However, as soon as the rooster crowed, Peter recalled the Words Jesus spoke to him and responded in deep repentance. So Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:62)
If that had happened today, Peter would have been brought before the Deacon Body or the Board of Directors and punished. He probably would have been banished to a low position for at least six months. But not in this case! When Peter repented of his actions, he was forgiven and that was the end of it.
Let’s read what Jesus said to Peter once again. Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31) Peter’s flesh failed but his faith did not.
This is true with all of us. Our flesh will fail at times but it is our faith that God is concerned about. This does not by any means give us a license to live a lifestyle of sin. For sin shall not have dominion over you. (Romans 6:14) An occasional failure is far different than a habitual lifestyle of sin.
Like Peter, sin does not control our lives. Faith in Christ controls us. Yes, we will all fail at times that’s why John wrote: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Peter was attacked by the enemy and he sinned. Immediately, he repented of his sin and he was forgiven. In that moment, Peter was as pure as if it had never happened. A few days later he stood in the Temple and preached the Inaugural Sermon to thousands of people.
We have all been there. All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) However, when we place our faith in the shed Blood of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary, and we repent of our sins, we are forgiven and set free from them. Hallelujah!
Religion will put you in jail. Jesus will set you free and change your life.
Faith in Christ Jesus will……….turn the tide
Free at last! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
