“As . . Peter was standing by the fire.” John18:25 NLT
“There’s only one right thing to do about a wrong thing.”
My thoughts today are, “never too late.”
You know when you let someone down; you know when you fail to meet your own standard, as well as others’ expectations of you. It’s not a good feeling. You know when you don’t do what you should do. The question is not whether or not you will do so. The only question is: when will you do that and what you will do when you fail? We all fail. The Bible says, “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 NLT. Don’t let failure be final, or it will become fatal!
Simon Peter knew exactly how that felt. Once, he had pledged his allegiance to Jesus, swearing to give his life if required. Earlier that day, Peter had taken a sword to defend Jesus against soldiers who had come to arrest Him in Gethsemane. And now, Peter again swears an oath – but this time, he is denying that he even knew Jesus! Jesus had warned Peter that he would be tempted to do so, “before the rooster crows, you will deny Me twice!” Read Matthew 26:69-75 NLT.
Sadly and too late, Peter realized how vulnerable he had become with the pressures of recent circumstances. He found himself in the wrong situation, and at the wrong place, and doing the wrong thing. Then the rooster crowed and “Suddenly Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind . . and he went away, crying bitterly.” Don’t make the same mistake. Doing wrong never turns out right.
You will feel pressure. When you feel that pressure to do what you shouldn’t do – maybe pressure for your own temporary pleasure or personal gain, or maybe from peer pressure that conforms to a sinful culture – you can fail to do what you know you should. Your difficult decision at such moments reveals who you are most willing to please or displease; will you satisfy yourself, please your friends, or obey God? “Don’t copy the customs and behavior of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is.” Romans 12:2 NLT. It’s simple really: don’t conform; be transformed!
It is tempting to excuse your wrongdoing, or to blame someone else for what you’ve chosen to do. The wrong is on you. There’s only one right thing to do about a wrong thing. Don’t be sorry; be forgiven. Confess to God in repentance and accept His grace and forgiveness. Here’s what God says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 NKJV. Get rid of sin quickly before it corrupts your future. Denying sin doesn’t change you; confessing does! Confessing is not about telling God what you’ve done; He already knows that. Confessing is telling God that you know you were wrong and asking forgiveness; that releases forgiveness and cleansing, and restores relationship. Ever wonder why they say, “Confession is good for the soul?” Because it is!
Hours before the crucifixion, Peter warmed himself beside a fire where he denied knowing Jesus. Days after the resurrection, he stood beside a far different fire to affirm his love for Jesus. Read John 21:15-17 NIV. I read this marvelous quote, “When your tears of repentance meet Christ’s forgiveness, you lose guilt and find new joy!”
The accuser of your soul will tell you that your sin is too bad or it’s too late, but he is lying to you and your guilt makes you believe his lie. It’s never too late for God’s forgiveness, unless you believe it’s too late.
My prayer for you today is: do not be willing to live a moment apart from God’s grace.