ANSWERING THE MYSTERIES OF CHRIST

Quote of the Day

"You’ve probably never thought of a refusal to serve God as idolatry, but that’s what it is--bowing down to self instead of submitting to Him."

- Charles Stanley (from Tripped up by Excuses?)

Today's Answer

Peter's Letters: Evidence of a Radical Change?

Stephen Davey

Did Peter ever radically change? Did he learn self-control? He later wrote, in I Peter, chapter 3, verses 8 through 10,

To sum it up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, ...

(I seem to remember Peter swinging a sword at the high priest, missing him, and hitting his servant on the ear – Peter was a bad shot),

... or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For, “Let him who means to love life and see good days refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.”

Did Peter ever learn the importance of humility? Oh, was Peter ever proud; so filled with egotistical self-confidence. In Matthew, chapter 26, verse 33, he had said, in effect, “Lord, everybody will fall away from You, but not me; I’m made out of better stuff.”

Later, he would write, in I Peter, chapter 5, verses 5b through 6,

... and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time

Peter’s failures were not fatal – he did indeed learn the fruit of the Spirit.

You say that you want to be a disciple of Jesus, and that you are walking with Him – then understand that He will place you in the process of radical change.

Taken from "The Test (John 1:35-51)" by Wisdom for the Heart Ministries (used by permission).

Today's Video

Is the Bible Misogynistic?
by Bryan Chapell 

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