Living in Denial
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. (Matthew 26:73-74)
Judas betrayed Jesus once, but Simon Peter denied Jesus three times publicly! That statement is not meant to minimize the horrific thing Judas did. He would soon self-implode out of remorse, without repentance.
Simon Peter’s experience was completely different. A long walk behind the soldiers who had arrested Jesus would be Simon Peter’s longest walk. The journey through Gethsemane, down the Kidron Valley and up the steps to the High Priest, Caiaphas’ house would be extremely painful for him. Although he had already used a sword that night to stop the arrest, he was in a different position than he had ever been. Since the day he had left his fishing nets, he had followed Christ and was in the inner circle. Now, we find him close but not very bold.
Have you ever been there? Were you close to taking a stand, but you lacked the boldness to identify with Jesus? Being close is not enough. God desires for us to stand for His Son, no matter what. However, when we are filled with the fear of man, we avoid standing and resisting. Sometimes, like Peter, we verbalize our distance from our Savior. Why would we ever do such a thing?
It is easy to condemn Simon Peter for his betrayal. If we point to Peter, observe where your other fingers are pointed…at you. We don’t find any of the other disciples in the spotlight that night. It was Simon Peter who was front and center. Apparently, he was engaging in the conversation because others not only recognized him from prior ministry days, but they heard his accent and knew that he was from Galilee.
Are there people who know you and recognize that you identify with Jesus, but they are perplexed why you haven’t taken a stand for Him? Today, don’t let the rooster crow while catching you off guard. Be on point, regardless of what fire you are sitting by. Refuse to live in denial any longer. Come out and stand for Jesus!
Judas betrayed Jesus once, but Simon Peter denied Jesus three times publicly! That statement is not meant to minimize the horrific thing Judas did. He would soon self-implode out of remorse, without repentance.
Simon Peter’s experience was completely different. A long walk behind the soldiers who had arrested Jesus would be Simon Peter’s longest walk. The journey through Gethsemane, down the Kidron Valley and up the steps to the High Priest, Caiaphas’ house would be extremely painful for him. Although he had already used a sword that night to stop the arrest, he was in a different position than he had ever been. Since the day he had left his fishing nets, he had followed Christ and was in the inner circle. Now, we find him close but not very bold.
Have you ever been there? Were you close to taking a stand, but you lacked the boldness to identify with Jesus? Being close is not enough. God desires for us to stand for His Son, no matter what. However, when we are filled with the fear of man, we avoid standing and resisting. Sometimes, like Peter, we verbalize our distance from our Savior. Why would we ever do such a thing?
It is easy to condemn Simon Peter for his betrayal. If we point to Peter, observe where your other fingers are pointed…at you. We don’t find any of the other disciples in the spotlight that night. It was Simon Peter who was front and center. Apparently, he was engaging in the conversation because others not only recognized him from prior ministry days, but they heard his accent and knew that he was from Galilee.
Are there people who know you and recognize that you identify with Jesus, but they are perplexed why you haven’t taken a stand for Him? Today, don’t let the rooster crow while catching you off guard. Be on point, regardless of what fire you are sitting by. Refuse to live in denial any longer. Come out and stand for Jesus!
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
February
Come and SeeA Childlike FaithDon’t Miss OutWhy Support Israel?Praying For IsraelHow To Honor GodResisting EvilThe Lord Encourages UsJesus Is the AuthorityGod ProvidesLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureA Heart of RepentanceSharing Your FaithSubmitting to God’s WillSecure in Your IdentityHow Are You Filled?God Is All-SufficientJesus Is The Only WayPray, Just PrayNo Sin Is Too BigThe Purpose in PainFeed Your FaithStay in Love with JesusIt’s Only JesusRemember Who God IsGifts from the Holy SpiritThis World Is Not Your HomeBe Different
March
Admitting You Are WrongMoney Can’t Buy HappinessMy ConfidenceChanged by Christ Faith and UnderstandingDo Angels Exist?Falling at Jesus’ FeetBorn AgainThe Fullness of JesusExperiencing Christ’s FullnessThe Lord’s ProtectionPraying FriendsA Hand of BlessingBe StillYour Heavenly FatherBlessing Your ChildrenGod Is Our ProviderTime To StopSimply Follow ChristFathers Loving MothersEvery Knee Will BowWhen God Repeats HimselfThe Seven ChurchesTaking Up Your CrossMake Peace With GodGod Gives Free WillGod’s Healing PowerGo All in for ChristAbiding and RestingBelieving God’s WordWhat Hangs In The Balance Of Evangelism?
2 Comments
Holy Spirit help me to be bold and may others know I stand for Jesus
PRAISE THE LORD, Thank You JESUS !