What is your greatest regret in life? Likely we all could compile a list, with several competing for the top spot. For one man, there was an incident that clearly was top of the list. It happened one night while standing around a fire.
"Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, 'You are not also one of His disciples, are you?' He denied it, and said, 'I am not.' One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, 'Did I not see you in the garden with Him?' Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed." (John 18.25-27)
Not once, but three times, this outspoken disciple renounced Him whom he vowed to stand with through thick or thin. In Jesus' dark hour, Peter sank to a previously unthinkable depth. But, once and for all, this despicable chapter in his life cured his pride and self-determination. In an abundantly gracious gesture, Jesus offered Peter the opportunity to erase his three denials with three affirmations (John 21.15-17). Later, Peter would be mightily used of Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to boldly declare the Christ he had so vehemently denied (Acts 2).
Maybe our denials aren't as blatant as those of Peter, but we are guilty nonetheless. Perhaps we've "conveniently" omitted Christ from a conversation. Maybe we've relied on our "silent witness" when words could have been life-changing. Denials take many forms.
Past regrets can be needlessly paralyzing. The gracious Lord who reinstated His denying disciple extends the same offer to us. And, like Peter, once humbled and purged of pride and self-sufficiency, we are ready to be mightily used through Holy Spirit as well.
We likely all have long lists of past regrets. But, what's been done has been done. Today is the day to respond to His offer to be reinstated and renewed. Today is the day to humbly accept forgiveness and Spirit-empowering, and to walk faithfully. In this moment, regret and guilt can be released, and refreshing renewal can set us resolutely on the path to the kingdom. May that release and renewal be yours in abundance today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, 'You are not also one of His disciples, are you?' He denied it, and said, 'I am not.' One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, 'Did I not see you in the garden with Him?' Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed." (John 18.25-27)
Not once, but three times, this outspoken disciple renounced Him whom he vowed to stand with through thick or thin. In Jesus' dark hour, Peter sank to a previously unthinkable depth. But, once and for all, this despicable chapter in his life cured his pride and self-determination. In an abundantly gracious gesture, Jesus offered Peter the opportunity to erase his three denials with three affirmations (John 21.15-17). Later, Peter would be mightily used of Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to boldly declare the Christ he had so vehemently denied (Acts 2).
Maybe our denials aren't as blatant as those of Peter, but we are guilty nonetheless. Perhaps we've "conveniently" omitted Christ from a conversation. Maybe we've relied on our "silent witness" when words could have been life-changing. Denials take many forms.
Past regrets can be needlessly paralyzing. The gracious Lord who reinstated His denying disciple extends the same offer to us. And, like Peter, once humbled and purged of pride and self-sufficiency, we are ready to be mightily used through Holy Spirit as well.
We likely all have long lists of past regrets. But, what's been done has been done. Today is the day to respond to His offer to be reinstated and renewed. Today is the day to humbly accept forgiveness and Spirit-empowering, and to walk faithfully. In this moment, regret and guilt can be released, and refreshing renewal can set us resolutely on the path to the kingdom. May that release and renewal be yours in abundance today.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:22 AM
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