KEY SCRIPTURE: Joh 18:25 ISV” Meanwhile, Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Some people asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples, too, are you?” He denied it by saying, “I am not!”

Simon Peter who was warming himself in the company of some people, while the Lord was been tried. For the second time, Peter was asked, whether he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Out of fear, he responded no. Remember that the Lord had said to him that, before the rooster crows he would have denied him three times.  Could this event have been prevented? Yes, it could have been prevented if Peter had asked the Lord for mercy and divine assistance.

Peter went in his natural ability and failed the first time. He should have quickly broken down in repentance and asked for God’s help, but did nothing like that. I believe he was still feeling guilty. Guilt is a tool of Satan. Guilt means man’s efforts failed. Guilt comes when self-righteousness does not meet its expectations. When guilt stays longer in a man, it condemns him, thereby weakening his ability to honour God’s word. On the flip side, when a child of God acknowledges his righteousness which he has received by faith. He would be able to act rightly in the light of God’s word.

Unfortunately, many children of God enjoy feeling guilty, thinking that, it would easily lead to repentance. Guilt is more or less a worldly or fleshly sorrow. There is a godly sorrow, that leads to repentance. 2 Cor 7:10 ISV “For having sorrow in a godly way results in repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets. But the sorrow of the world produces death”. Peter had a worldly sorrow that made him condemn himself. In that light, he was too weak to face the second test. He failed again, saying he was not a member of Jesus’ disciples.

Once again, what weakened Peter such that he could not face up to the second test? It was guilt that took over his soul. Refuse to give any place to guilt. Accept your error and ask for forgiveness.  Accept God’s forgiveness and cleansing. After, this, know that God has justified you and holds nothing against you.

THOUGHT: REFUSE GUILT, FOR GUILT CONDEMNS; CONDEMNATION KILLS, AND DEATH FINALLY ENSLAVES.

FURTHER STUDIES

Rom 8:1 ISV” Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in union with the Messiah Jesus.”

2Cor 7:9 ISV ” Now I am happy, not because you had such sorrow, but because your sorrow led you to repent. For you were sorry in a godly way, and so you were not hurt by us in any way.”