I know the people who read my posts are at various places in their walk with Christ. Today I want to do something a bit different and address this post to those of you who feel you have fallen away from your faith. You once had a strong faith in God, but now you find yourself denying Jesus and walking in a life you never thought you would be living.
What happened that caused you to turn away from the faith you once had in Jesus? Did someone within the church body hurt you? Perhaps it was the reality of life that caused you to question your beliefs. Or did you succumb to a sinful temptation and because of feeling like a failure you turned away from your first love?
I've found the greatest tool satan uses against us is shame. When we stumble in our walk, or in essence deny Christ, satan begins an all out assault to convince us we are no longer worthy of the call God has placed on our lives. As Christians, I see where all too often we assist satan in his efforts. When a brother or sister in Christ falls into sin, many are quick to discredit the giftings God has placed inside of them. We seem to forget they are human and immediately judge their entire lives based on one bad decision or moments of weakness.
We need to look no further than the life of the disciple Peter in order to see how God can use those who have once turned from Him. Have you wondered what it would have been like to walk alongside Jesus in the flesh? If you struggle with sin you may think if you could just have a more intimate encounter with God, then you could defeat your giant. However, Peter physically walked with Jesus. He saw Jesus perform miracle after miracle live and in the flesh. He even walked on the water with Him! None of the other disciples had faith enough to step out onto the stormy waves! Peter proved his devotion to Jesus over and over again. He showed complete commitment right until Jesus' end. Or almost.
"Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept." Mark 14:66-72
What happened to the Peter who walked on water? Where is the Peter who was on the mountain with Jesus and heard the voice of God call Jesus His son? This Peter is not the Peter we have read about up until this point. Is this where you have found yourself? Like Peter, you may have wept over your decision to deny Christ. Or maybe you are numb to the choices you have made and see no reason to weep. Have you turned away from the body of Christ out of shame from your denial?
It's important to know the story of Peter to know it did not end with his denial and weeping. He did not turn away and disappear into bible oblivion after this account. Peter's faith was renewed with a vengeance! He was the first man to see Jesus after His resurrection. Peter helped start the early church. He traveled in the name of Christ and performed healings and miracles. It is believed Peter was so bold in his faith that he too was murdered on a cross, but requested it be upside down because he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ!
I would say Peter's moment of denial is what spurred him to such an unrelenting service to Jesus. So what will you do with your fall? Will you let it defeat you and let satan rob you of the plan God has for your life? Or will you use your stumble to propel you towards living a life greater in love with Jesus? Will you use it to give you greater compassion for others who have stumbled or turned away from their faith? Will you be forgiving when those in our church body are caught in their sin? I pray today is the day you see your call from God has not been rescinded! He still has a plan for you!
What happened that caused you to turn away from the faith you once had in Jesus? Did someone within the church body hurt you? Perhaps it was the reality of life that caused you to question your beliefs. Or did you succumb to a sinful temptation and because of feeling like a failure you turned away from your first love?
I've found the greatest tool satan uses against us is shame. When we stumble in our walk, or in essence deny Christ, satan begins an all out assault to convince us we are no longer worthy of the call God has placed on our lives. As Christians, I see where all too often we assist satan in his efforts. When a brother or sister in Christ falls into sin, many are quick to discredit the giftings God has placed inside of them. We seem to forget they are human and immediately judge their entire lives based on one bad decision or moments of weakness.
We need to look no further than the life of the disciple Peter in order to see how God can use those who have once turned from Him. Have you wondered what it would have been like to walk alongside Jesus in the flesh? If you struggle with sin you may think if you could just have a more intimate encounter with God, then you could defeat your giant. However, Peter physically walked with Jesus. He saw Jesus perform miracle after miracle live and in the flesh. He even walked on the water with Him! None of the other disciples had faith enough to step out onto the stormy waves! Peter proved his devotion to Jesus over and over again. He showed complete commitment right until Jesus' end. Or almost.
"Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept." Mark 14:66-72
What happened to the Peter who walked on water? Where is the Peter who was on the mountain with Jesus and heard the voice of God call Jesus His son? This Peter is not the Peter we have read about up until this point. Is this where you have found yourself? Like Peter, you may have wept over your decision to deny Christ. Or maybe you are numb to the choices you have made and see no reason to weep. Have you turned away from the body of Christ out of shame from your denial?
It's important to know the story of Peter to know it did not end with his denial and weeping. He did not turn away and disappear into bible oblivion after this account. Peter's faith was renewed with a vengeance! He was the first man to see Jesus after His resurrection. Peter helped start the early church. He traveled in the name of Christ and performed healings and miracles. It is believed Peter was so bold in his faith that he too was murdered on a cross, but requested it be upside down because he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ!
I would say Peter's moment of denial is what spurred him to such an unrelenting service to Jesus. So what will you do with your fall? Will you let it defeat you and let satan rob you of the plan God has for your life? Or will you use your stumble to propel you towards living a life greater in love with Jesus? Will you use it to give you greater compassion for others who have stumbled or turned away from their faith? Will you be forgiving when those in our church body are caught in their sin? I pray today is the day you see your call from God has not been rescinded! He still has a plan for you!
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