KEY SCRIPTURE: John 13:37 KJV” Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake”.

When the Lord told His disciples that in a little while, He would be leaving them to a place where none of them could come there. Apostle Peter in his usual actions said to Jesus, Lord why can’t I follow you, and he added, Lord I will die for you. Why did Peter say that he will die for the Lord? Was it an expression of his love for Him? Did he understand what he was saying, talking about dying for the master? No one could die for Jesus, for He came to give His life as a ransom for the souls of all men. Peter had not enquired from the Lord why he made certain statements. Was he really prepared to die for the master?

Later events showed that, he did not really understand what he was saying. He was actually speaking from his fleshly mind. During the trial of the master, he could not identify or associate himself with the Lord. He denied Him thrice. Many people make vows unto the Lord without thinking about the consequences, only to break that promise in the heat of challenging situations. Some give their word of assurance to other persons but fail to honour their words when the demand arises.

What does the Lord say about those who say what they mean, and actually do what they say.” Psalms 24:3,4 KJV “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. The Lord is saying He is going to give audience to such faithful men. Such people do not speak out of excitement, or play to the gallery. They understand the implications of speaking deceitfully.

Peter failed because he trusted in himself. We can never achieve anything for the Lord by our wisdom, experience or strength. We need to daily go before the Lord asking for His help and direction. The Lord spent a great deal of His moments in prayer seeking for the help, and counsel of the Spirit.  The Lord said pray that you may not enter into temptation.

THOUGHT: IT IS ONLY THE SPIRIT WHO CAN DO THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT, THE FLESH WOULD ALWAYS PROFIT NOTHING.

FURTHER STUDIES

Joh 15:5 KJV “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Rom 8:6 KJV” For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”