GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 31

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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FROM REGRET TO RESTORATION

(Read Luke 22:31-62)

THE SIFTING PROCESS

Three people were sifted that night in Gethsemane.  Christ was sifted and found to be grain.  Perhaps Satan actually tried to kill Christ in those dark moments of torture.  Despite the pain and temptation, Christ was indeed shown to be pure wheat.

Judas was also sifted the same evening.  He kissed Jesus on the cheek as a show of friendship yet was a partner in a plot to have the Master crucified.  He was so filled with remorse that he went and hanged himself.  He was proven to be pure chaff.

Peter was sifted and, like most of us, was shown to be part chaff and part wheat.   This process of sifting was one of God’s ways of separating the chaff from the wheat.  As Peter saw his helplessness and learned to depend on the Holy Spirit, much of the chaff was blown away.

Outwardly, Peter and Judas did a similar deed – both denied Christ.  Judas, instead of repenting, let the regret and remorse overwhelm him.  He refused the forgiveness that would have cleansed his polluted conscience.  He took his regret with him into eternity.

Peter, on the other hand, responded to the look of the Savior.  His regret and restoration made his love for Christ much stronger.  Those who are forgiven much, love much.

While walking in the redwood forest in California, I noticed a tree that had fallen many years ago.  A new tree was now growing straight toward heaven, using the fallen tree as a part of its root system.  Though the fallen tree had long since lost its glory, it had become part of a new structure.

God uses our regrets and failures to make us stronger in our faith and witness.  If we are willing to learn from our experience, our failures will not be wasted.  It is never too late to come back.

Like Roy Riggles, we sometimes take the ball and run in the wrong direction.  We stumble and fall and are so filled with shame that we don’t want to try again.  Then the grace of God comes and says, “Get up …go back, the game is only half over.”  This is the Gospel of the second chance; the gospel for those who have fallen once too often.  The gospel of the Loving Coach.

Christ is even now praying for us.  He knows our weaknesses and the circumstances that caused us to fall.  He is also filled with compassion, and is willing to restore us to fellowship and usefulness.  We must simply let Him provide the healing that only He can give.

Peter had to learn that, even when we betray Christ, He does not betray us.  Though we may be rough and twisted, the divine Sculptor will hew us according to his special plan, and when we are damaged, He repairs the hurt.

The game is not yet over.  Join the Master for breakfast in Galilee.

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Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

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Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

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Psalm 37:24

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

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Psalm 56:13

For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God In the light of the living?

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1 Peter 1:3-9 (NASB)

 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,  so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;  and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

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