I was listening to a preacher discuss God's grace versus
our self confidence. He shared about
Peter's denial of Christ occurring only hours after he confidently proclaimed
how he would never forsake His Lord. How
is it that he so quickly acted against his own declaration? This preacher continued with explaining where Peter
placed his confidence and trust; in his own ability and strength. He went on to
explain that in our own lives we do the same thing. We grow confident in a
decision to never do something again or to begin to do something and fail to do
either and all because we have great confidence in ourselves and not in Christ. If Peter would have recognized that his own strength can and will fail him in
seeking obedience to the Lord, then he would be able to recognize the grace of
God providing him strength to carry out his hearts desire. The problem is our
pride. It's our pride that proclaims we can do things apart from
God. This message was truly a revelation for me. I have too much pride, and I
don't want to repeat Peter's behavior in my life. But at the same time I don't
won't to be the first one that proclaims "I will never do as Peter did,
that would not happen to me!" Instead the heart should remain humble,
understanding how without His grace we cannot walk righteously, without His
strength we cannot achieve, without His faithfulness we cannot remain faithful.
It is a statement of "by His grace alone I will and can." I think Peter was allowed to be sifted in order for him to realize that
his confidence in himself was nothing to boast of. And, like in my own life, it was God's grace
that Peter had that trial in order for him to grow in this area. "Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 So
whenever I error, I want to see it as a reminder that I can so easily fall, and
that I, being not above any sinner, need His grace in my life every single
day. By His grace alone am I able to
follow Him with abandonment.
