I was reading my daily Bible app and my homie Peter held a mirror to my face. I was so humbled by God's word and hope this helps someone the same way it helped me. So here it goes, in John 13 verses 21-28, Jesus had just washed his disciples' feet and shared with them he would be betrayed by one of them. John was kicked back, lounging next to Jesus and Peter was sitting up ready for action cause yall know Peter stayed ready. So Peter asked John to ask Christ who would betray him. Jesus answered and told them. And then a few scriptures later when Judas had left the supper, Jesus turns to his remaining disciples and tells them where He is going they cannot yet go. And Peter pipes up and asks why can't he go with Christ right now because he would lay his life down for Christ. This is when it gets real! Jesus looks at him and asks him "Would you lay down your life for me? Verily truly I tell you before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
Peter had the best intentions but Christ knew his words were empty. They were boastful but couldn't bust a grape with his current faith. He talked a good game. His faith talk was Texas-sized but when it was time to walk the walk my homie Peter, always seemed to fall short. Just like when he jumped out to the boat to walk on water with Christ. But got out on the water and began to sink. And after Christ's tomb was empty and he burst out running to see for himself and got outrun by John who took off after him. Peter was just like me in this way. Always ready to be first until being first required faith. If first required just my talents, I could make it. But when it required faith, when it required a miracle from God, I would shrink, be scared, and sometimes just stop.
It can happen to everyone if we are not careful. We can get too comfortable lounging in the presence of Christ. We can get too glad that the disobedient one this time isn't us. We can forget every day of our life requires faith in Christ and not in ourselves. I can imagine Christ, turned his head all the way around, looked Peter in his eyes, and asked, "Really?" Cause we are quick to tell God what we will do for Him. We promise to tithe, to leave toxic relationships, jobs, to give to the poor, visit the sick, to be celibate. We tell Him we will do anything for His glory. And Christ is like, "Really?" He knows the way we hold this life and the things we obtain in this life in high regard that we won't lie down our lives for Him. Not really. Not yet. We won't even give up a Big Mac, let alone our cars, homes, bodies. Ecclesiastes says it's better to not even make a vow than break the one you make to God. Our word means something to God. So please make sure your word means something to you too. Don't get caught slipping and lying to yourself. Christ already knows the measure of faith you have today. And guess what? He will increase your faith each day that you walk with Him. Christ took Peter denying Him and STILL established His church through Peter. Your faith today is NOT your faith tomorrow.
Christ does great work and can take us all from lounging and lying to laboring. That's why He told the disciples they couldn't go where He was going YET. He still had some faith work to do in them. He is still doing that same work in each of us today. Tomorrow won't feel like today when you go with God. I promise. And if you don't believe me, believe God and my homie Peter. I love you. God loves you more!
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