Confidence and Doubt What waswrong with Peter’s attitude before the Cross? Matt. 26:31–35. Peter was no match for the wiles of the evil one. He attempted to face Satan’s temptations in His own strength. Filled with a sense of self-inflated confidence, he had little idea of the crisis that was coming. Alone in Pilate’s courtyard and trembling at the sound of a servant girl’s questioning, Peter denied His Lord (Matt. 26:69–75). Jesus had warned Peter earlier, “ ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren’ ” (Luke 22:31, 32, NKJV). Jesus’ state-ment provides a fascinating analysis of Peter’s spiritual condition. Trusting in his own strength, Peter drifted from his Lord. This is why Jesus used the expression, “when you have returned to me.” Peter needed a spiritual awakening. He needed a change of attitude. He needed reformation. Read John 20:24–29. What does this passage reveal about Thomas? What lessons can we take from this for ourselves? Both Peter and Thomas had one striking feature in common. They approached faith from a very human perspective. Peter placed con-fidence in what he could do; Thomas, in what he could see. They depended on their faulty human judgment. But Pentecost made a difference. A transformed Peter fearlessly preached, and three thou-sand were baptized on Pentecost (Acts 2:41). Peter realized that he certainly had no strength to heal a lame man, but Jesus had that power and a miracle took place (Acts 3:2–9). When the authorities attempted to silence his voice, Peter proclaimed, “ ‘For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard’ ” (Acts 4:20, NKJV). Peter was a changed man. Thomas was changed also. It is believed that he sailed to India to preach the gospel. Though not much more is said about him, we can be sure that he had become a new man after Pentecost, as well. Who are you more like in temperament, Peter or Thomas? What can you learn from their experiences so that you don’t make similar mistakes? September 3 Tuesday
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 06:52:44 +0000
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