KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 18:15 KJV” And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”

In Matt 26, we see Jesus telling His disciples that, when He is arrested His disciples would all forsake Him

Peter promised the master that when every one of the disciples left, he would not do so. This statement was a direct answer to what the Lord said. Matt 26:31 KJV” Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” Just after the Lord made the preceding statement Peter responded with the following. Matt 26:33 KJV “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” Peter made a very daring statement opposing what the Lord said.

Peter’s decision to follow Jesus was an act to justify the statement He made in response to what the Lord said. He was not acting by faith and as a result, there was no grace backing him. Grace is a divine provision that helps us. Grace is always solicited by faith, and faith is produced by acting on the word of God. Peter’s action therefore was surely going to fail. What is the basis of whatever action you may be taking? Peter’s action was purely presumptuous and self-willed.

How do we assess whether one’s action is presumptuous?

1. If it is self-willed. If your action is to prove a point then you are acting presumptuously. Dear people of God, as men we have no point to prove. Whatever we do is on the basis of what God has said, and therefore it is done to bring Him all the glory.

2. When one does not act on the word of God but expects a positive result, then he is only being presumptuous. 

3. Another presumptuous act is when one acts on the word of God, yet, he acts in fear. Fear means faith is absent. Fear also means you are not settled on the word of God. Anything done in unbelief is sin Rom 14:23.

THOUGHT: ALL ACTIONS MUST BE DONE, BASED ON THE WORD OF GOD, IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, AND TO HIS GLORY.

FURTHER STUDY

Gal 5:26 KJV ” Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Rom 14:23 KJV” And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”