“But he said emphatically, ‘If I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And they all said the same.” – Mark 14:31
It’s very easy to speak boldly of your courage and devotion when you’re safe, comfortable, and well-fed. Peter certainly did! But when the test came a few hours later, he completely failed. He pretended he’d never met Jesus! Could there be a worse betrayal??? Thankfully, by God’s grace, that failure didn’t define his life. Instead, what came to define Peter’s life was decades of bold ministry that included plenty of suffering for Jesus before reportedly ending in his own brutal death on a cross (upside down!)
What was the difference between Peter’s cowardice and courage? What will make the difference for you if you’re ever confronted with the opportunity to suffer for your faith? One key difference was the Holy Spirit. When Peter failed, he hadn’t yet received the Holy Spirit. When Peter succeeded, he not only had the Spirit, he was filled by the Spirit and the Spirit led Him. If you’ve put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you have the Spirit. But are you filled with the Spirit? Is the Spirit leading you and revealing His fruit in your life (increasing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)?
To walk in the Spirit with the boldness of Peter, you’ll need to do some fundamental things. You’ll need to break out of any sinful habits and patterns in your life, repenting of those sins and fighting to live like Jesus. You’ll need to get serious about worship, Bible reading and meditation, prayer, engaging in deep Christian relationships, serving God, and sharing your faith (we call that Five to Thrive). You’ll have to be intentional about turning control of your day and your life to God’s authority and expectations rather than your own. You’ll have to do what the Spirit prompts you to do, no matter how surprising or improbable.
Peter also came to understand some profoundly critical things. When he failed, he didn’t understand what Jesus was going to suffer and die to do for him. Later in life, Peter knew that his Lord and Savior had suffered humiliation, torture, and death to redeem him from his sins. Peter knew that Jesus had risen back to life having conquered the power of sin and death. He understood that the invitation to follow Jesus, even to suffering and death, was actually an invitation to enjoy eternal life with Jesus.
Do you have that understanding deep in your soul? Do you meditate regularly on the terrible price of your salvation and the glorious victory that you share in through Jesus Christ? Do you really know what Jesus did for you personally? Do you celebrate what that sacrifice has changed about and in you? Regularly meditate on these things and trust that as a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus, you have everything you need to glorify Jesus should suffering and persecution find you. #FollowJesus