4TH JUNE
John 13:37-38
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”
Part of learning to live the lifestyle of a witness is failing along the way!
Peter was determined to live for Jesus, no matter what. But Jesus knew Peter was going to fail. When Peter denied Jesus, that denial was sin; it was wrong. Yet it was still part of Peter’s journey of learning to love Jesus more than anything else.
As you learn to live as a witness, there will be times when God presents you with a wide open door to speak with someone about your relationship with Jesus and, like Peter, you will freeze up and not stand for Christ, or you may even go as far as Peter and try to hide the fact that you are a Christian.
When you realise what you’ve done, you will feel guilty and disappointed in yourself and you will know that you have hurt the heart of Jesus. But that is not the time to give up on living as a witness. Think of what a powerful witness Peter became!
Learn from your failure. Bring it to the Lord and ask for his forgiveness. And next time, say something for Jesus when he opens the door of opportunity.
MAKE IT PERSONAL:
What do you need to bring to the Lord for forgiveness? Take a moment to ask him now to give you more opportunities, and for his power to speak up for him. Pray for strength to move forward.